eõpikute

Eõpikute is a term used in some Baltic Finnic languages, notably Estonian, to refer to the mythological figures responsible for weaving the fate of individuals. These beings are often depicted as elderly women who spin, measure, and cut the threads of life, determining a person's destiny from birth to death. The concept of eõpikute is deeply embedded in ancient folklore and has connections to similar fate-weaving deities found in other mythologies, such as the Norns in Norse mythology or the Moirai in Greek mythology.

While the exact number and individual names of the eõpikute can vary across different regional traditions and historical periods, they are consistently portrayed as powerful entities beyond human control. Their actions are seen as immutable, shaping the course of human lives in accordance with a grand cosmic order. The act of weaving itself symbolizes the intricate and interconnected nature of existence, where each thread represents a life and the pattern woven by the eõpikute represents the sum of all destinies. Rituals and offerings were sometimes performed to appease or seek favor from these beings, though their ultimate power was acknowledged as absolute. The imagery of fate-weaving remains a potent symbol in Baltic Finnic cultural heritage.