Ya fueran abiertas o cerradas = whether they may be open or closed. Fueran = subjuntive of "ser" (to be).

whether they were open or closed 'fueran' is the past (imperfect) subjunctive of the verb 'ser' when you use a verb in the subjunctive (either present or past) followed by two options, it can mean 'whether' Examples: Seas de aquí o de otro país, hay que seguir las leyes de este país. Whether you are from here or another country, you must obey the laws of this country. Seas blanco o seas negro, estás bienvenido aquí. Whether you are white or black, you are welcome here. Fueras rico o pobre, yo te hubiera querido igual. Whether you were rich or poor, I would have loved you the same. Ya does not mean whether, but in this case ya +fueran function together as whether

Creo que se refiere a la boca de las boas, es decir, boas con la boca abierta o con la boca cerrada. Creo que es de "El principito" esta oracion,