The mythological Ariadne and Theseus

Theseus (Thésée) about to enter the Labyrinth of King Minos on Crete, holds Ariadne's (Ariane's) thread in his hand. Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of thread, which he fastened to the entrance of the Labyrinth when he went in, so that, after killing the legendary Minotaur creature, he could make his way out by gathering the thread.