The Hecate Sisters: Difference between revisions
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Sub-trope of the [[Power Trio]] and cousin to [[The Three Faces of Eve]]. The three aspects of a triune goddess or trinity of goddesses appear as sisters. They are the maiden (often [[Everyone Loves Blondes|blonde and beautiful]], and either a [[Naive Everygirl|naive ditz]] or a budding seductress), the mother (often plump and rather eccentric, or pregnant, as the page image shows) and the crone (often [[Deadpan Snarker|sharp-witted, sharp-tongued]], bitter and unsentimental). In terms of a [[Freudian Trio]], the maiden is the Id, the crone is the Superego, and the mother is the Ego. Even though they are the same being, they seem to know and think different things, so they bicker. In fantasy stories, these characters may be exactly what they appear, or they may be a trio of witches or wise women who reflect the aspects of the goddess. |
Sub-trope of the [[Power Trio]] and cousin to [[The Three Faces of Eve]]. The three aspects of a triune goddess or trinity of goddesses appear as sisters. They are the maiden (often [[Everyone Loves Blondes|blonde and beautiful]], and either a [[Naive Everygirl|naive ditz]] or a budding seductress), the mother (often plump and rather eccentric, or pregnant, as the page image shows) and the crone (often [[Deadpan Snarker|sharp-witted, sharp-tongued]], bitter and unsentimental). In terms of a [[Freudian Trio]], the maiden is the Id, the crone is the Superego, and the mother is the Ego. Even though they are the same being, they seem to know and think different things, so they bicker. In fantasy stories, these characters may be exactly what they appear, or they may be a trio of witches or wise women who reflect the aspects of the goddess. |
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This trope has the unusual distinction of being either [[Older Than Feudalism]], or [[Newer Than They Think]]: Most of what we know about triple-goddess mythology comes from the author and mythologist Robert Graves, who, like many of his early 20th-century contemporaries, tended to add his own ideas wherever he felt they were needed. |
This trope has the unusual distinction of being either [[Older Than Feudalism]], or [[Newer Than They Think]]: Most of what we know about triple-goddess mythology comes from the author and mythologist Robert Graves, who, like many of his early 20th-century contemporaries, tended to add his own ideas wherever he felt they were needed. |
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In Greek mythology and religion, the three Moirae presided to birth, destiny, and death of all human beings : Clotho (the Maiden) spins a person's life thread, Lachesis (the Mother) measures the thread, and finally, Atropos (the Crone) cuts the thread, thus ending the person's life. |
In Greek mythology and religion, the three Moirae presided to birth, destiny, and death of all human beings : Clotho (the Maiden) spins a person's life thread, Lachesis (the Mother) measures the thread, and finally, Atropos (the Crone) cuts the thread, thus ending the person's life. |
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Compare [[The Three Faces of Eve]] and [[Same Sex Triplets]]. |
Compare [[The Three Faces of Eve]] and [[Same Sex Triplets]]. |
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* In the anime movie ''[[Kiki's Delivery Service]]'', Kiki the Witch (Hecate is the Goddess of Witches) is befriended by three women - Osono (a pregnant woman - "Mother"), the college-student/artist Ursula (young woman in her late teens/early 20's - "Maiden") and "Madame", a sweet old lady (quite elderly - "Crone"). Whether or not the authors intended it, there it is. |
* In the anime movie ''[[Kiki's Delivery Service]]'', Kiki the Witch (Hecate is the Goddess of Witches) is befriended by three women - Osono (a pregnant woman - "Mother"), the college-student/artist Ursula (young woman in her late teens/early 20's - "Maiden") and "Madame", a sweet old lady (quite elderly - "Crone"). Whether or not the authors intended it, there it is. |
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* The Magi computers from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' are built upon these aspects of Ritsuko's mother Naoko Akagi: her as a scientist, a mother, and a woman. {{spoiler|In ''End of Evangelion'', Ritsuko tries to self-destruct NERV to stop Gendo's plan; the Scientist and Mother sides agree, but the Woman side (who was in love with Gendo) refuses, causing a deadlock.}} Rei herself {{spoiler|embodies all three aspects at once and each specific Rei personifies them, Rei I being the Maiden, Rei II is the mostly motherly toward Shinji, and Rei III the Crone harvests all souls back to herself and completes the circle.}} |
* The Magi computers from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' are built upon these aspects of Ritsuko's mother Naoko Akagi: her as a scientist, a mother, and a woman. {{spoiler|In ''End of Evangelion'', Ritsuko tries to self-destruct NERV to stop Gendo's plan; the Scientist and Mother sides agree, but the Woman side (who was in love with Gendo) refuses, causing a deadlock.}} Rei herself {{spoiler|embodies all three aspects at once and each specific Rei personifies them, Rei I being the Maiden, Rei II is the mostly motherly toward Shinji, and Rei III the Crone harvests all souls back to herself and completes the circle.}} |
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* ''[[The Five Star Stories]]'' has the three "Fatima Fates", [[Artificial Human]] sisters named after the Greek Fates, though otherwise they don't fit the pattern very well. They're all only a few years apart in age & personality-wise they're probably closer to [[The Three Faces of Eve]]: Atropos is an angry, sad wreck, Lachesis is [[The Ditz]] ([[Let's Get Dangerous|most of the time]]) & Clotho is a nervous [[Moe Moe|moeblob]]. They also have three older sisters named after the Furies, but since those threee were subjected to the same programming (read: brainwashing) as most Fatimas they have [[Flat Character|little personality to speak of]]. |
* ''[[The Five Star Stories]]'' has the three "Fatima Fates", [[Artificial Human]] sisters named after the Greek Fates, though otherwise they don't fit the pattern very well. They're all only a few years apart in age & personality-wise they're probably closer to [[The Three Faces of Eve]]: Atropos is an angry, sad wreck, Lachesis is [[The Ditz]] ([[Let's Get Dangerous|most of the time]]) & Clotho is a nervous [[Moe Moe|moeblob]]. They also have three older sisters named after the Furies, but since those threee were subjected to the same programming (read: brainwashing) as most Fatimas they have [[Flat Character|little personality to speak of]]. |
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* Some have argued that the Theatre of Shadows in ''[[Revolutionary Girl Utena]]'' represents something like this. It features three apparently omniscient girls who impart their mysterious wisdom mixed with nonsense to the viewers in every episode. Alan Harnum's fanfic [http://www.thekeep.org/~harnums/fanfic/utena/index.html Jaquemart] plays with the idea, as the girls try to impress Anthy by claiming to be Fates, Norns and all the aspects of the Triple Goddess. Then Anthy points out that {{spoiler|there's only two of them left.}} They sheepishly back down and admit that the claim was as nonsensical as much of the rest of their ramblings. |
* Some have argued that the Theatre of Shadows in ''[[Revolutionary Girl Utena]]'' represents something like this. It features three apparently omniscient girls who impart their mysterious wisdom mixed with nonsense to the viewers in every episode. Alan Harnum's fanfic [http://www.thekeep.org/~harnums/fanfic/utena/index.html Jaquemart] plays with the idea, as the girls try to impress Anthy by claiming to be Fates, Norns and all the aspects of the Triple Goddess. Then Anthy points out that {{spoiler|there's only two of them left.}} They sheepishly back down and admit that the claim was as nonsensical as much of the rest of their ramblings. |
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* Inverted in the anime of ''[[Trapeze]]'': [[Cloudcuckoolander|Irabu]] is male, and his youngest incarnation is a [[Deadpan Snarker]], with his oldest incarnation being an adolescent manchild. |
* Inverted in the anime of ''[[Trapeze]]'': [[Cloudcuckoolander|Irabu]] is male, and his youngest incarnation is a [[Deadpan Snarker]], with his oldest incarnation being an adolescent manchild. |
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** Eve herself explains that "Adam had three wives": Lilith, who was created as part of the original human being, a hermaphrodite ("Male and female created He them", Genesis 1:27); an unnamed second wife, whom Adam rejected because he saw her during construction and got [[Squick|Squicked]], as [[All There in the Manual|described in medieval Rabbinic lore]]; and Eve, who grew old but never died. (Genesis 5:5 says, "And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died", but Eve doesn't get an obituary.) In order, these are Mother, Maiden and Crone. |
** Eve herself explains that "Adam had three wives": Lilith, who was created as part of the original human being, a hermaphrodite ("Male and female created He them", Genesis 1:27); an unnamed second wife, whom Adam rejected because he saw her during construction and got [[Squick|Squicked]], as [[All There in the Manual|described in medieval Rabbinic lore]]; and Eve, who grew old but never died. (Genesis 5:5 says, "And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died", but Eve doesn't get an obituary.) In order, these are Mother, Maiden and Crone. |
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** Women in ''Sandman'' often fall into sets of three. In the issue in which Dr. Destiny psionically tortures to death the hapless people in a diner, the hostess and two patrons become Crone, Mother and Maiden; when Dr. Destiny has them tell his fortune, they become the Wyrd Sisters. Later, in ''A Game of You,'' we meet Foxglove (Maiden), Hazel (Mother, thanks to a drunken one-night stand), and Thessaly (Crone). The climax of the ''Sandman'' [[Myth Arc]] in ''The Kindly Ones'' has Morpheus facing off against the Furies, whom the ancient Greeks tried to placate by calling them "kindly", but the ones who end up doing Morpheus [[Death Seeker|a kindness]] are Nuala (Maiden), Lyta (Mother) and Thessaly (Crone, again). |
** Women in ''Sandman'' often fall into sets of three. In the issue in which Dr. Destiny psionically tortures to death the hapless people in a diner, the hostess and two patrons become Crone, Mother and Maiden; when Dr. Destiny has them tell his fortune, they become the Wyrd Sisters. Later, in ''A Game of You,'' we meet Foxglove (Maiden), Hazel (Mother, thanks to a drunken one-night stand), and Thessaly (Crone). The climax of the ''Sandman'' [[Myth Arc]] in ''The Kindly Ones'' has Morpheus facing off against the Furies, whom the ancient Greeks tried to placate by calling them "kindly", but the ones who end up doing Morpheus [[Death Seeker|a kindness]] are Nuala (Maiden), Lyta (Mother) and Thessaly (Crone, again). |
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*** Dream calls Foxglove and Hazel "Little Maiden" and "Little Mother" respectively. For the ''Game of You'' example, Thessaly even states it almost explicitly: they need menstrual blood, and they have to get it from Foxglove, since Hazel is pregnant and Thessaly hasn't menstruated in a looong time. Later Nuala, Lyta and Thessaly aren't aware of it, but they are connected by {{spoiler|each making a separate contribution to Dream's death. Lyta was the one who gave the Furies the order to kill him; Thessaly protected her from getting killed by outside interference at the Ladies' request; and Nuala called him away at a critical moment, indirectly causing his death}}. |
*** Dream calls Foxglove and Hazel "Little Maiden" and "Little Mother" respectively. For the ''Game of You'' example, Thessaly even states it almost explicitly: they need menstrual blood, and they have to get it from Foxglove, since Hazel is pregnant and Thessaly hasn't menstruated in a looong time. Later Nuala, Lyta and Thessaly aren't aware of it, but they are connected by {{spoiler|each making a separate contribution to Dream's death. Lyta was the one who gave the Furies the order to kill him; Thessaly protected her from getting killed by outside interference at the Ladies' request; and Nuala called him away at a critical moment, indirectly causing his death}}. |
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*** Moreover the lovers of Dream who show up as such in the course of the main series fall into the pattern: Nada (maiden, that being a plot point), Calliope (Mother, specifically as the mother of Dream's son, Orpheus), and Thessaly (Crone, yet ''again''). |
*** Moreover the lovers of Dream who show up as such in the course of the main series fall into the pattern: Nada (maiden, that being a plot point), Calliope (Mother, specifically as the mother of Dream's son, Orpheus), and Thessaly (Crone, yet ''again''). |
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*** Somewhat lampshaded in the Sandman, as Lyta's friend is working on a book about the appearance of the triple goddess in TV sitcoms. |
*** Somewhat lampshaded in the Sandman, as Lyta's friend is working on a book about the appearance of the triple goddess in TV sitcoms. |
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== Literature == |
== Literature == |
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* In George R.R. Martin's [[A Song of Ice and Fire]], the Mother, Maiden, and Crone are worshipped as three of The Seven. |
* In George R.R. Martin's [[A Song of Ice and Fire]], the Mother, Maiden, and Crone are worshipped as three of The Seven. |
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* [[Lloyd Alexander]]'s ''[[Prydain Chronicles]]'' features a pseudo-Celtic version of the Fates, named Orwen, Orddu and Orgoch. They weave a tapestry rather than spinning a thread. Oddly they all appear either as young beauties (at night) or old crones (in daylight). They do not seem to have a 'Mother' face. However, in [[The Film of the Book]], they were middle-aged redheads all the time, and clearly marked as ugly. Stranger still, they seem to take turns at being each 'sister' ("No, it's my turn to be Orwen now, you've been her long enough!"). Orgoch appears to be the Atropos of the group. She never shows her face, wearing a deep hood in both beauty and hag forms and she is strongly implied to be a cannibal. However, the sisters seem to enjoy nothing more than to confuse, befuddle and unnerve their mortal visitors, so it is hard to take anything they say or do at face value. |
* [[Lloyd Alexander]]'s ''[[Prydain Chronicles]]'' features a pseudo-Celtic version of the Fates, named Orwen, Orddu and Orgoch. They weave a tapestry rather than spinning a thread. Oddly they all appear either as young beauties (at night) or old crones (in daylight). They do not seem to have a 'Mother' face. However, in [[The Film of the Book]], they were middle-aged redheads all the time, and clearly marked as ugly. Stranger still, they seem to take turns at being each 'sister' ("No, it's my turn to be Orwen now, you've been her long enough!"). Orgoch appears to be the Atropos of the group. She never shows her face, wearing a deep hood in both beauty and hag forms and she is strongly implied to be a cannibal. However, the sisters seem to enjoy nothing more than to confuse, befuddle and unnerve their mortal visitors, so it is hard to take anything they say or do at face value. |
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* In Piers Anthony's ''[[Incarnations of Immortality]]'' series, the [[Anthropomorphic Personification]] of Fate is like this; three individuals who take on the roles of Clotho (maiden), Lachesis (mother), and Atropos (crone). One character actually gets to be both Clotho and Lachesis at different times. In the seventh book of the series, ''And Eternity'', Fate needs a new Atropos, and circumstances combine to make a male candidate the best choice. Even the remaining Aspects, Clotho and Lachesis, comment that this is highly unusual. |
* In Piers Anthony's ''[[Incarnations of Immortality]]'' series, the [[Anthropomorphic Personification]] of Fate is like this; three individuals who take on the roles of Clotho (maiden), Lachesis (mother), and Atropos (crone). One character actually gets to be both Clotho and Lachesis at different times. In the seventh book of the series, ''And Eternity'', Fate needs a new Atropos, and circumstances combine to make a male candidate the best choice. Even the remaining Aspects, Clotho and Lachesis, comment that this is highly unusual. |
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** Also, in ''A Spell For Chameleon'', the first book in the Xanth series, he manages to put all three into one woman--the titular Chameleon changes from Wynne [Very pretty, but dumb, either child or whore of the trio] to Dee [average looks and intelligence, mostly fitting the mother category] to Fanchon [ugly and intelligent, highly crone-ish]. |
** Also, in ''A Spell For Chameleon'', the first book in the Xanth series, he manages to put all three into one woman--the titular Chameleon changes from Wynne [Very pretty, but dumb, either child or whore of the trio] to Dee [average looks and intelligence, mostly fitting the mother category] to Fanchon [ugly and intelligent, highly crone-ish]. |
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* Despite its [[Crystal Dragon Jesus]] setup, the Faith of the Seven in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' include the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone. |
* Despite its [[Crystal Dragon Jesus]] setup, the Faith of the Seven in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' include the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone. |
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* ''[[The Dresden Files]]'' had one of these for the Winter and Summer Courts of fairies -- Each court is ruled by three Queens—Queen Mother (The Queen Who Was), Queen (The Queen Who Is), and Lady (The Queen Who Is To Come) who are also grandmother, mother, and daughter. |
* ''[[The Dresden Files]]'' had one of these for the Winter and Summer Courts of fairies -- Each court is ruled by three Queens—Queen Mother (The Queen Who Was), Queen (The Queen Who Is), and Lady (The Queen Who Is To Come) who are also grandmother, mother, and daughter. |
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* Mercedes Lackey's ''[[Heralds of Valdemar]]'' series features a ''four''fold goddess, who adds the Warrior to the standard trio of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The three sister goddesses Agnetha, Agnira, and Agnoma, as mentioned in ''By the Sword,'' may also fit the trope with Agnira as Maiden and Agnetha as Mother, but it's never really made clear whether or not Agnoma fills the Crone slot to complete the trope. |
* Mercedes Lackey's ''[[Heralds of Valdemar]]'' series features a ''four''fold goddess, who adds the Warrior to the standard trio of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The three sister goddesses Agnetha, Agnira, and Agnoma, as mentioned in ''By the Sword,'' may also fit the trope with Agnira as Maiden and Agnetha as Mother, but it's never really made clear whether or not Agnoma fills the Crone slot to complete the trope. |
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** Interestingly, to complement the fourfold Goddess there is a Fourfold ''male'' deity, with faces matching that of the Goddess: the Rover, to match the Maiden, for East; the Guardian to match the Waarrior, in the South; the Hunter, to match the Mother, in the West; and lastly the Guide, to complement the Crone, for North. |
** Interestingly, to complement the fourfold Goddess there is a Fourfold ''male'' deity, with faces matching that of the Goddess: the Rover, to match the Maiden, for East; the Guardian to match the Waarrior, in the South; the Hunter, to match the Mother, in the West; and lastly the Guide, to complement the Crone, for North. |
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* The witch families in Anne Bishop's ''Tir Alainn'' trilogy appear as this. Usually a grandmother, mother and daughter living together. None ever seem to be able to keep the men around. Well, at least not at the start of the story anyway. |
* The witch families in Anne Bishop's ''Tir Alainn'' trilogy appear as this. Usually a grandmother, mother and daughter living together. None ever seem to be able to keep the men around. Well, at least not at the start of the story anyway. |
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* Pamela L. Travers, author of the ''Mary Poppins'' books, describes Mary Poppins herself this way, as a mixture of a vain young lady, a wise mother, and a sharp-tongued old lady. This was probably deliberate. |
* Pamela L. Travers, author of the ''Mary Poppins'' books, describes Mary Poppins herself this way, as a mixture of a vain young lady, a wise mother, and a sharp-tongued old lady. This was probably deliberate. |
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* In ''[[Harry Potter]] And The Deathly Hallows'', the last three people who come into the Room of Requirement to fight are Ginny (maiden), Tonks (mother) and Augusta Longbottom (crone). Again, this was probably deliberate. |
* In ''[[Harry Potter]] And The Deathly Hallows'', the last three people who come into the Room of Requirement to fight are Ginny (maiden), Tonks (mother) and Augusta Longbottom (crone). Again, this was probably deliberate. |
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* It's stated repeatedly in the ''[[Discworld]]'' novels that it's "only right" for a coven to have three witches -- "the maiden, the mother, and the... other one." The coven begins as Magrat Garlick (maiden), Nanny Ogg (mother), and Granny Weatherwax ("other one"). When Magrat gets married and takes up being a queen, Agnes Nitt joins up as the maiden. When Granny gets incapacitated by a vampire attack, Magrat rejoins the coven temporarily, making the order Agnes (maiden), Magrat (mother of Princess Esmeralda Margaret Note Spelling of Lancre), and Nanny, who's not too happy about being the "other one". ("I can’t start being a hag at my time of life,’ she muttered. ‘None of my bras’ll fit.’") |
* It's stated repeatedly in the ''[[Discworld]]'' novels that it's "only right" for a coven to have three witches -- "the maiden, the mother, and the... other one." The coven begins as Magrat Garlick (maiden), Nanny Ogg (mother), and Granny Weatherwax ("other one"). When Magrat gets married and takes up being a queen, Agnes Nitt joins up as the maiden. When Granny gets incapacitated by a vampire attack, Magrat rejoins the coven temporarily, making the order Agnes (maiden), Magrat (mother of Princess Esmeralda Margaret Note Spelling of Lancre), and Nanny, who's not too happy about being the "other one". ("I can’t start being a hag at my time of life,’ she muttered. ‘None of my bras’ll fit.’") |
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** It is also noted that Granny qualifies as all three. [[Chaste Hero|Technically a maiden,]] [[Mama Bear|as protective as any mother]] and... well, [[Never Mess with Granny|very croneish.]] |
** It is also noted that Granny qualifies as all three. [[Chaste Hero|Technically a maiden,]] [[Mama Bear|as protective as any mother]] and... well, [[Never Mess with Granny|very croneish.]] |
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* The mythological figure of Hecate is used in ''[[The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel]]'', where she starts each morning as the maiden and progressively ages throughout the day. The motif appears later in the series when Sophie, Perenelle, and Tsagaglalal are trying to revive Nicholas--Sophie is the maiden, Perenelle is the matron, and Tsagaglalal is the crone. |
* The mythological figure of Hecate is used in ''[[The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel]]'', where she starts each morning as the maiden and progressively ages throughout the day. The motif appears later in the series when Sophie, Perenelle, and Tsagaglalal are trying to revive Nicholas--Sophie is the maiden, Perenelle is the matron, and Tsagaglalal is the crone. |
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* In Thomas De Quincey's prose poem, [[Levana and Our Ladies of Sorrow]], the narrator describes three women, who, like the Fates, Graces and Muses, are personifications of human abstraction, in this case sorrow. Here, the mother theme is dominant, with ''Mater Suspiriorum'' (the Mother of Sighs, representing despair), ''Mater Tenebrarum'' (the Mother of Darkness, representing insanity), and ''Mater Lachrymarum'' (the Mother of Tears, representing grief). In terms of age, Lachrymarum is described as the eldest (crone), and Tenebrarum the youngest (maiden). |
* In Thomas De Quincey's prose poem, [[Levana and Our Ladies of Sorrow]], the narrator describes three women, who, like the Fates, Graces and Muses, are personifications of human abstraction, in this case sorrow. Here, the mother theme is dominant, with ''Mater Suspiriorum'' (the Mother of Sighs, representing despair), ''Mater Tenebrarum'' (the Mother of Darkness, representing insanity), and ''Mater Lachrymarum'' (the Mother of Tears, representing grief). In terms of age, Lachrymarum is described as the eldest (crone), and Tenebrarum the youngest (maiden). |
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* [[Diane Duane]]'s [[The Tale of Five]] plays this completely straight down the line for the common [[Neo-Paganism|Neopagan]]/[[Wicca|Wiccan]] form. |
* [[Diane Duane]]'s [[The Tale of Five]] plays this completely straight down the line for the common [[Neo-Paganism|Neopagan]]/[[Wicca|Wiccan]] form. |
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* The three main characters of ''[[The Princess Series]]'' fit this trope: |
* The three main characters of ''[[The Princess Series]]'' fit this trope: |
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** Snow - maiden (though she's really not a maiden anymore) |
** Snow - maiden (though she's really not a maiden anymore) |
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== Live-Action TV == |
== Live-Action TV == |
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* [[Xena: Warrior Princess]] features numerous appearances by The Three Fates, (classically known as the Moirae), who are responsible for determining the course of all mortal's lives. In appearance, they are three women in various stages of life; Clotho (the Maiden) spins a person's life thread, Lachesis (the Mother) measures the thread, and finally, Atropos (the Crone) cuts the thread, thus ending the person's life. |
* [[Xena: Warrior Princess]] features numerous appearances by The Three Fates, (classically known as the Moirae), who are responsible for determining the course of all mortal's lives. In appearance, they are three women in various stages of life; Clotho (the Maiden) spins a person's life thread, Lachesis (the Mother) measures the thread, and finally, Atropos (the Crone) cuts the thread, thus ending the person's life. |
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* Intentional or not, the Opera House visions in ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'' are experienced by Caprica-Six (maiden), Athena (mother) and Laura Roslin (crone). |
* Intentional or not, the Opera House visions in ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'' are experienced by Caprica-Six (maiden), Athena (mother) and Laura Roslin (crone). |
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* Bill's three wives in [[Big Love]]: Barb (the matriarch), Nicki (the brooding manipulator) and Margene (the naive young beauty). |
* Bill's three wives in [[Big Love]]: Barb (the matriarch), Nicki (the brooding manipulator) and Margene (the naive young beauty). |
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* The witch version appears in new [[Doctor Who]], although it's more like maiden, crone, crone. The episode is "The Shakespeare Code", so it's a [[Shout-Out]] (see under 'theater' below). |
* The witch version appears in new [[Doctor Who]], although it's more like maiden, crone, crone. The episode is "The Shakespeare Code", so it's a [[Shout-Out]] (see under 'theater' below). |
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* Jules (mother), Ellie (crone) and Laurie (maiden) on ''[[Cougar Town]]''. |
* Jules (mother), Ellie (crone) and Laurie (maiden) on ''[[Cougar Town]]''. |
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* ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]'' had one of the Fates show up. With a minor case of [[Did Not Do the Research]], the one that showed up was Atropos, and she claimed that "her two sisters are bigger and badder than [Atropos] in every way." |
* ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]'' had one of the Fates show up. With a minor case of [[Did Not Do the Research]], the one that showed up was Atropos, and she claimed that "her two sisters are bigger and badder than [Atropos] in every way." |
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** Well, Lahkesis IS the one who decides how life takes its course, and considering how Castiel's life was going at that point, pissing her off might be a bad idea and a horrible, literal case of [[Tempting Fate]]. On Clotho's case, well, just play [[God of War (series)|God of War]] and see for yourself... |
** Well, Lahkesis IS the one who decides how life takes its course, and considering how Castiel's life was going at that point, pissing her off might be a bad idea and a horrible, literal case of [[Tempting Fate]]. On Clotho's case, well, just play [[God of War (series)|God of War]] and see for yourself... |
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* [[Charmed]] really deserves a mention here as the three sisters filled the roles without much of an age difference - however, Prue was always the responsible leader (Crone), Piper the cautious caretaker (Mother) and Phoebe, tellingly enough named after one of Artemis's epithets, was the 'wild child' Maiden. After Prue's departure, Piper and Phoebe 'moved up one' role and half-sister Paige filled the Maiden's position. On a larger generational scale, the three sister were all Maidens to their more magically experienced ghostly Mother and living Grandmother-Crone. |
* [[Charmed]] really deserves a mention here as the three sisters filled the roles without much of an age difference - however, Prue was always the responsible leader (Crone), Piper the cautious caretaker (Mother) and Phoebe, tellingly enough named after one of Artemis's epithets, was the 'wild child' Maiden. After Prue's departure, Piper and Phoebe 'moved up one' role and half-sister Paige filled the Maiden's position. On a larger generational scale, the three sister were all Maidens to their more magically experienced ghostly Mother and living Grandmother-Crone. |
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== Tabletop Games == |
== Tabletop Games == |
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* The Circle of The Crone, one of the <s>seven</s> <s>five</s> seven (Carthians, Invictus, Lancea Sanctum, Ordo Dracul, Belial's Brood, [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Seven]], and the Circle) covenants from ''[[Vampire: The Requiem]]'', is a group of pagan Goddess-worshiping vampires who believe that the existence of vampires is perfectly natural. In their social structures they have roles that are similar to The Hecate Sisters, but with [[Four-Girl Ensemble|one more role after those three.]] The Maiden (a.k.a. [[Virgin Power|The Virgin]]) is [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]], but for vampires being a Virgin means never having killed someone. They're typically newly Embraced, and their role is to remind other vampires of their former humanity, although they struggle to [[Beware the Nice Ones|control]] [[Horror Hunger|their own urge]] [[Unstoppable Rage|to kill]]. The next is [[Evil Matriarch|The Mother]], whose duty is to [[Evil Chancellor|advise]] and [[Affably Evil|comfort]]. Mothers don't have much power on their own, and so often rely on [[Manipulative Bastard|subtle manipulation]]. And to complete the trinity they have [[Wicked Witch|The Crone]], a rare and potent role. They symbolize destruction and act as judges and executioners within the Circle. The fourth addition is [[Lady in Red|The Scarlet Woman]] (a.k.a. [[My Girl Is a Slut|The Whore]]) whose role is to be independent and make her ''own'' decisions, sometimes to the point of [[Rebellious Spirit|rebelling against almost everything]]. |
* The Circle of The Crone, one of the <s>seven</s> <s>five</s> seven (Carthians, Invictus, Lancea Sanctum, Ordo Dracul, Belial's Brood, [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Seven]], and the Circle) covenants from ''[[Vampire: The Requiem]]'', is a group of pagan Goddess-worshiping vampires who believe that the existence of vampires is perfectly natural. In their social structures they have roles that are similar to The Hecate Sisters, but with [[Four-Girl Ensemble|one more role after those three.]] The Maiden (a.k.a. [[Virgin Power|The Virgin]]) is [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]], but for vampires being a Virgin means never having killed someone. They're typically newly Embraced, and their role is to remind other vampires of their former humanity, although they struggle to [[Beware the Nice Ones|control]] [[Horror Hunger|their own urge]] [[Unstoppable Rage|to kill]]. The next is [[Evil Matriarch|The Mother]], whose duty is to [[Evil Chancellor|advise]] and [[Affably Evil|comfort]]. Mothers don't have much power on their own, and so often rely on [[Manipulative Bastard|subtle manipulation]]. And to complete the trinity they have [[Wicked Witch|The Crone]], a rare and potent role. They symbolize destruction and act as judges and executioners within the Circle. The fourth addition is [[Lady in Red|The Scarlet Woman]] (a.k.a. [[My Girl Is a Slut|The Whore]]) whose role is to be independent and make her ''own'' decisions, sometimes to the point of [[Rebellious Spirit|rebelling against almost everything]]. |
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* In ''[[ |
* In ''[[The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow]]'', the village is protected by a little girl, a fortune teller and a witch. |
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* Of course, [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Macbeth]]'' features three witches referred to as the Weird (or Wyrd) Sisters, a name given to the Norns (the Norse version of the Fates) and who worship Hecate. Usually, however, they are all represented as crones. |
* Of course, [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Macbeth]]'' features three witches referred to as the Weird (or Wyrd) Sisters, a name given to the Norns (the Norse version of the Fates) and who worship Hecate. Usually, however, they are all represented as crones. |
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** Roman Polanski's film adaptation there was a maiden witch. That version also gave the witches an extended role, in the form of a [[Twist Ending]] where {{spoiler|Donalbain is seen to visit them, implying that he will go down the same path as Macbeth.}} |
** Roman Polanski's film adaptation there was a maiden witch. That version also gave the witches an extended role, in the form of a [[Twist Ending]] where {{spoiler|Donalbain is seen to visit them, implying that he will go down the same path as Macbeth.}} |
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** In the 2006 [[Setting Update|present-day version]], the three witches are played by teenage girls. |
** In the 2006 [[Setting Update|present-day version]], the three witches are played by teenage girls. |
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* The Norns in [[Richard Wagner]]'s ''Götterdämmerung'', the last of the four operas in the ''[[Der Ring Des Nibelungen|Ring]]'' cycle. |
* The Norns in [[Richard Wagner]]'s ''Götterdämmerung'', the last of the four operas in the ''[[Der Ring Des Nibelungen|Ring]]'' cycle. |
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* ''Vanities'': The three characters somewhat fit these archetypes. Mary=maiden, Joanne=mother, Kathy=crone. |
* ''Vanities'': The three characters somewhat fit these archetypes. Mary=maiden, Joanne=mother, Kathy=crone. |
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* The three women in the cast of ''[[Fools]]''. Sophia the Maiden, Lenya the mother and Yenchna the crone. |
* The three women in the cast of ''[[Fools]]''. Sophia the Maiden, Lenya the mother and Yenchna the crone. |
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* As an exploration of themes regarding femininity, it is fitting that the women of ''[[On the Verge]]'' form this trinity: Alex (Maiden), Fanny (Mother), and Mary (Crone). |
* As an exploration of themes regarding femininity, it is fitting that the women of ''[[On the Verge]]'' form this trinity: Alex (Maiden), Fanny (Mother), and Mary (Crone). |
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* The [[Quirky Miniboss Squad|Shadow Sirens]] from ''[[Super Mario Bros.|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''. Vivian is the "maiden" [[Wholesome Crossdresser|except when it comes to gender]] ([[She's a Man In Japan|but only in the Japanese version]]), Marilyn roughly fits the "mother" archetype as an extremely obese [[Mighty Glacier|physical powerhouse]] who [[Verbal Tic|rarely says anything but the word "Guh"]], and Beldam epitomizes the "crone" to such an extent that [[Meaningful Name|she's named after it]]. Really. Go look up "Beldam" in the dictionary. |
* The [[Quirky Miniboss Squad|Shadow Sirens]] from ''[[Super Mario Bros.|Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''. Vivian is the "maiden" [[Wholesome Crossdresser|except when it comes to gender]] ([[She's a Man In Japan|but only in the Japanese version]]), Marilyn roughly fits the "mother" archetype as an extremely obese [[Mighty Glacier|physical powerhouse]] who [[Verbal Tic|rarely says anything but the word "Guh"]], and Beldam epitomizes the "crone" to such an extent that [[Meaningful Name|she's named after it]]. Really. Go look up "Beldam" in the dictionary. |
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* The Fates in ''[[God of War (series)|God of War]] 2'': Inasmuch as you can call a six-foot tall warrior valkyrie with one breast visible, a giant, grotesquely fat woman with many arms and breasts and a stick-thin woman that seems to be partially made of darkness a mother, maiden, and crone respectively. |
* The Fates in ''[[God of War (series)|God of War]] 2'': Inasmuch as you can call a six-foot tall warrior valkyrie with one breast visible, a giant, grotesquely fat woman with many arms and breasts and a stick-thin woman that seems to be partially made of darkness a mother, maiden, and crone respectively. |
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** Being that they're The Fates, their identity is based less on their positions as stages in a woman's life and more on their function - the bloated, spider-like Clotho weaves/spins the threads of fate, the warrior Lachesis measures the thread with her staff, and the taloned Atropos cuts the thread when the life is finished. |
** Being that they're The Fates, their identity is based less on their positions as stages in a woman's life and more on their function - the bloated, spider-like Clotho weaves/spins the threads of fate, the warrior Lachesis measures the thread with her staff, and the taloned Atropos cuts the thread when the life is finished. |
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* The ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]'' games include the Fates - Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos - as separate demons that can be recruited. In some games, the three can be fused together in a special process to produce Norn, which is depicted as three goddesses united around a clock. Hecate is also present in several games as a triple headed goddess. |
* The ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]'' games include the Fates - Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos - as separate demons that can be recruited. In some games, the three can be fused together in a special process to produce Norn, which is depicted as three goddesses united around a clock. Hecate is also present in several games as a triple headed goddess. |
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* In ''[[Mass Effect]]'', some asari (including squad member [[Hot Scientist|Liara T'Soni]]) worship the goddess Athame, who cycles between maiden, matron, and matriarch stages. This was once the most popular religion among asari, but it has been supplanted by <s>Buddhism</s> siari. |
* In ''[[Mass Effect]]'', some asari (including squad member [[Hot Scientist|Liara T'Soni]]) worship the goddess Athame, who cycles between maiden, matron, and matriarch stages. This was once the most popular religion among asari, but it has been supplanted by <s>Buddhism</s> siari. |
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** Interestingly enough, while everything else is as normal, the characterization of the crone and mother are switched (during at least the three days that we see Anju's mother, after Kafei turns up missing). |
** Interestingly enough, while everything else is as normal, the characterization of the crone and mother are switched (during at least the three days that we see Anju's mother, after Kafei turns up missing). |
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*** The three goddesses of the setting. While their ages may not match the descriptions, Nayru can very well be the mother, Din the maiden, and Farore the crone, judging from their roles in ''[[The Legend of Zelda Oracle Games|The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Seasons]]''. |
*** The three goddesses of the setting. While their ages may not match the descriptions, Nayru can very well be the mother, Din the maiden, and Farore the crone, judging from their roles in ''[[The Legend of Zelda Oracle Games|The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Seasons]]''. |
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*** In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'', Zelda is the maiden, Impa is the mother, and {{spoiler|Impa}} the old woman the crone. |
*** In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'', Zelda is the maiden, Impa is the mother, and {{spoiler|Impa}} the old woman the crone. |
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* In ''[[The Witcher]]'', the Goddess Melitele is represented as a young maiden, a pregnant mother, and an old woman. |
* In ''[[The Witcher]]'', the Goddess Melitele is represented as a young maiden, a pregnant mother, and an old woman. |
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* In ''[[Loom (video game)|Loom]]'', the three elders are named Atropos, Lachesis and Clothos (sic) but do not appear to fit the roles, or indeed to be female. |
* In ''[[Loom (video game)|Loom]]'', the three elders are named Atropos, Lachesis and Clothos (sic) but do not appear to fit the roles, or indeed to be female. |
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* In ''[[King's Quest VII]]'', Valanice summons herself into a pocket dimension in Etheria, and finds the Three Fates generally minding their own business and doing their cosmic work. Atropos is an enthusiastic, spiky-haired teenager (who happily severs the fates of women and men), Clotho is an elegant, mysterious and soft-spoken woman (who spins the thread of fate), and Lachesis (the only one of the three with significant dialogue, and who measures the length of the thread) is a matter-of-fact, somewhat harsh older lady. |
* In ''[[King's Quest VII]]'', Valanice summons herself into a pocket dimension in Etheria, and finds the Three Fates generally minding their own business and doing their cosmic work. Atropos is an enthusiastic, spiky-haired teenager (who happily severs the fates of women and men), Clotho is an elegant, mysterious and soft-spoken woman (who spins the thread of fate), and Lachesis (the only one of the three with significant dialogue, and who measures the length of the thread) is a matter-of-fact, somewhat harsh older lady. |
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* The NORNs of [[Too Human]]. |
* The NORNs of [[Too Human]]. |
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* ''[[The Seventh Guest]]'' has the young(ish) chanteuse Martine, the pudgy, motherly Elinor, and the old, acerbic Julia competing against one another. |
* ''[[The Seventh Guest]]'' has the young(ish) chanteuse Martine, the pudgy, motherly Elinor, and the old, acerbic Julia competing against one another. |
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* The [[Girls Love|yuri]] [[Visual Novel]] ''[[Akai Ito]]'' mixes this with the [[Three Faces of Eve]]. As seen from the viewpoint of the protagonist, Kei: |
* The [[Girls Love|yuri]] [[Visual Novel]] ''[[Akai Ito]]'' mixes this with the [[Three Faces of Eve]]. As seen from the viewpoint of the protagonist, Kei: |
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** Crone: [[Really Seven Hundred Years Old|Sakuya]] and [[Manipulative Bastard|Nozomi]] |
** Crone: [[Really Seven Hundred Years Old|Sakuya]] and [[Manipulative Bastard|Nozomi]] |
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*** Yumei: [[Oedipus Complex|Daughter and Companion]] |
*** Yumei: [[Oedipus Complex|Daughter and Companion]] |
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*** Nozomi: Mother |
*** Nozomi: Mother |
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* In ''[[Planescape: Torment]]'', bringing both Annah and Fall-From-Grace with you when you visit Ravel Puzzlewell causes her to lampshade this trope in a mixture with [[The Three Faces of Eve]]. Fiery, yet naive, Annah is the maiden/child, calm and nurturing Fall-From-Grace is the mother/wife (in a figurative sense, she is the [[Team Mom]]), and Ravel is the (very obvious) crone, and also plays the role of the seductress once it becomes obvious she is in love with The Nameless One. Ravel uses her shapeshifting ability to appear in front of you in all three guises. |
* In ''[[Planescape: Torment]]'', bringing both Annah and Fall-From-Grace with you when you visit Ravel Puzzlewell causes her to lampshade this trope in a mixture with [[The Three Faces of Eve]]. Fiery, yet naive, Annah is the maiden/child, calm and nurturing Fall-From-Grace is the mother/wife (in a figurative sense, she is the [[Team Mom]]), and Ravel is the (very obvious) crone, and also plays the role of the seductress once it becomes obvious she is in love with The Nameless One. Ravel uses her shapeshifting ability to appear in front of you in all three guises. |
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* ''[[Lusternia]]'' directly references the ''Moirae'' of Greek mythology: Clotho, the maid (who spins the threads of life), Lachesis, the mother (who measures the threads) and Atropos, the crone (who cuts the thread upon death). They govern the destinies of all mortals who are marked by the Portal of Fate - namely, [[Player Character|every player character]]. |
* ''[[Lusternia]]'' directly references the ''Moirae'' of Greek mythology: Clotho, the maid (who spins the threads of life), Lachesis, the mother (who measures the threads) and Atropos, the crone (who cuts the thread upon death). They govern the destinies of all mortals who are marked by the Portal of Fate - namely, [[Player Character|every player character]]. |
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** Lisaera also takes on the form of the maiden, mother and crone as and when it pleases her, though as a [[Fertility Goddess]] this is intended to invoke [[The Three Faces of Eve]]. |
** Lisaera also takes on the form of the maiden, mother and crone as and when it pleases her, though as a [[Fertility Goddess]] this is intended to invoke [[The Three Faces of Eve]]. |
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* Alma in ''[[First Encounter Assault Recon|FEAR: Project Origin]]'' has three appearances she manifests in: Her [[Creepy Child|child form]], representing last memory of herself before she was locked in the psychic insulator and her need for help and contact with others (the maiden), an emaciated, pale and haggard woman representing how her body actually looked when she died and her desire for vengeance on those who did it to her (the crone), and an idealised, healthy-looking woman {{spoiler|who turns out to represent Alma's desire to have a 'real' family by seducing the main character (the mother).}} |
* Alma in ''[[First Encounter Assault Recon|FEAR: Project Origin]]'' has three appearances she manifests in: Her [[Creepy Child|child form]], representing last memory of herself before she was locked in the psychic insulator and her need for help and contact with others (the maiden), an emaciated, pale and haggard woman representing how her body actually looked when she died and her desire for vengeance on those who did it to her (the crone), and an idealised, healthy-looking woman {{spoiler|who turns out to represent Alma's desire to have a 'real' family by seducing the main character (the mother).}} |
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