Engraving of The Three Fates from a series entitled: Mythological Subjects by Jacob Matham, 1588. In Greek mythology, the Moirai were the incarnations of destiny. Their number became fixed at three: Clotho (spinner), Lachesis (allotter) and Atropos (unturnable). They controlled the metaphorical thread of life of every mortal from birth to death. They were independent, at the helm of necessity, directed fate, and watched that the fate assigned to every being by eternal laws might take its course without obstruction.