Blog & lookbook - Get the Look: The Norns

What are the Norns?

The Norns are goddesses of fate in Norse mythology, responsible for determining the fate of mankind. In the Völuspá, three Norns—Urðr (Wyrd), Verðandi, and Skuld—draw water from their sacred well to nourish the tree of life Yggdrasill and protect it from decay. These mighty virgin giantesses (Jotuns) from Jötunheimr marked the end of the golden age of the gods. In the Vafþrúðnismál, they are also described as maidens of Mögþrasir.

The Norns visit newborns to determine their fate. They can be both malevolent and benevolent; one brings disaster, while the other offers protection and prosperity. Furthermore, they are responsible for the care of Yggdrasill, the tree of life associated with the immortal soul and the role of every mortal within the cosmos.

Relationship to other Germanic female deities

In the Old Norse tradition, there is no sharp distinction between Norns, fylgjas, hamingjas, valkyries, and the general term dísir. Artistic liberties in Old Norse poetry allow such terms to be applied to mortal women as well. Snorri Sturluson states in Skáldskaparmál that women can be referred to metaphorically by the names of Asynjur, valkyries, Norns, or other supernatural beings. The unclear boundaries between Norns and other Germanic female deities are discussed at length in Bek-Pedersen's work Norns in Old Norse Mythology.

Relationship to the dísir

In Norse mythology, the term dís (Old Norse for "lady", plural dísir) refers to a female deity, spirit, or entity often associated with fate, similar to the Norns. These figures can be both protective and hostile to mortals. The dísir are often seen as guardian spirits of Norse clans and may have originally been fertility goddesses. They were worshipped in both private and public rituals, known as dísablót. Their worship may have originated from a cult of the spirits of the dead.

In Norse texts, the dísir are often described in collective terms and function as synonyms for other supernatural beings, such as Valkyries, Norns, and vættir. Some scholars suggest that the North Germanic dísir are related to the West Germanic Idisi, given their mythological and linguistic similarities, although there is little direct evidence from Anglo-Saxon and continental German mythology. In Norse texts, the dísir often serve similar functions to fylgjur (guardian spirits), Valkyries, and Norns, suggesting that dísir may be an umbrella category for several beings.

Jacob Grimm notes that the Old Norse term dís appears to be related to the West Germanic Idisi, noting the loss of the initial "i-" in Old and Proto-Norse. He compares the dís Skjöldunga from the Eddic Helgakviða Hundingsbana II with ides Scildinga from Beowulf and suggests that the name Iðunn may be derived from the original form of dís.

According to Simek, the dísir can be seen as part of a broader belief in female (demi-)deities, comparable to the Valkyries, Norns, and matrons. The matrons, who served as fertility goddesses, personal protectors, and warrior goddesses, illustrate the multifaceted role of these female beings. This suggests that the dísir are part of a larger group of divine or semi-divine female entities with varying responsibilities and powers.

In many literary works, the dísir are equated with other female beings, such as the Norns, who control fate. Although the dísir give the impression of great antiquity, their meaning seems to have faded in the oldest surviving texts, so that their original meaning has largely been lost.

Women are often referred to metaphorically in literature by the names of supernatural female figures, such as the Ásynjur (female goddesses), Valkyries, Norns, or other spirits. In various Eddic poems and kennings, the generic term dísir is often used in place of more specific terms such as Norns, fylgjur, and Valkyries.

Celtic and Germanic Matrones

The Celtic and Germanic Matres and Matrones are female deities who were worshipped in northwestern Europe between the first and fifth centuries AD. They are almost always depicted in groups of three on votive offerings and altars, often accompanied by inscriptions. About half of these inscriptions contain continental Celtic names, while the other half are Germanic names. These deities were worshipped in regions such as Germania, eastern Gaul, and northern Italy. The Matres and Matrones are often associated with later Germanic figures such as the dísir, valkyries, and Norns, which it has been suggested may have been derived from them.

Relationship to the Greek Moirai and Roman Parcae

Comparable godesses of fate such as the Norns also appear in Greek mythology. The Moirai, consisting of the three sisters Clotho (the spinner), Lachesis (the allotte) and Atropos (the inevitable, symbol of death), were charged with ensuring that every being, mortal and divine, followed its fate according to universal law. For mortals, this fate was often represented as a thread spun by Clotho.

Their Roman equivalents were the Parcae. The concept of a universal principle of natural order and balance in Greek mythology is often compared to similar concepts from other cultures, such as the Vedic Ṛta and the Avestan Asha (Arta).

These goddesses were responsible for recording the metaphorical thread of life of every being, mortal and immortal, from birth to death. Even the gods feared their power, because they determined fate. According to some sources, even Jupiter, the supreme god, was subject to their influence and could not escape the fate determined by the Parcae.

Relationship with the Baltic goddess Laima

Laima is a Baltic goddess of fate, associated with birth, marriage and death, and acts as a protector of pregnant women. In Latvian mythology, Laima, together with her sisters Kārta and Dēkla, form a triple Fates. Laima is the most prominent of the three and is responsible for the ultimate fate of individuals. While Laima is primarily associated with happiness, mothers and childbirth, Dēkla is concerned with the care of children, while Kārta manages the lives of adults. In modern Dievturi, these three goddesses are considered different aspects of the same deity.

In Lithuanian mythology, Laima can sometimes be confused with Laimė (happiness) and Laumė (fairy). Other related deities include Dalia (fate) and Giltinė (death). An important function of Laima is to predict the fate of a newborn, whereby her pronouncement is irrevocable. Sometimes Laima acts alone, while at other times she works with her sisters to make three different, sometimes contradictory predictions.

The Norns in the cosmic order

The Norns consist of Urðr (that which has happened, Old English Wyrd), Verðandi (that which is happening) and Skuld (that which must be). Because of this, they are often thought to refer to the past, present and future, although this is not definitive. They spin the threads of life at the source of the world tree Yggdrasill.

A verse from the Poetic Edda describes how the Norns “weave with power the web of fate.” This implies that the Norns not only determine the fate of individuals, but also events that affect the community, such as the fate of a city. This idea may form the basis for the later neopagan concept of the Web of Wyrd.

The Greek Fates, the Moirai, consist of Clotho (the 'spinner'), who spun the thread of life for a person; Lachesis (the 'allotter'), who measured the thread; and Atropos (the 'inevitable'), who cut the thread. The idea of moira is about what is honestly due to a person in life, such as happiness, success or resources. When a person received more than he or she deserved, it was seen as a disruption of the natural order. Although it was possible to receive more than one's fair share, this often led to severe punishment or negative consequences, because it went against the balance and rules of life. This can be seen as a form of adharma.

The concept of the Fates is related to niyati, which describes the course of events as predestined and fixed. It also shows how the individual (the atman) relates to the whole (the brahman).

Indo-European Cosmic Order

The cosmic order refers to the natural course of events within the universe. In Vedic thought, this order is referred to as Rta, while the Greeks described the concept as Kosmos, derived from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂r-tós (Xartus). Rta is a dynamic cosmos in which both physical objects, such as celestial bodies, and abstract concepts, such as moral development, are in constant motion (gati). All elements of the universe work together harmoniously according to this cosmic order, also called samghatna. Both nature and social structures function in balance thanks to the power of Rta.

The course of events is governed by inevitable laws of cause and effect. The Greeks called this Logos and based their philosophy and science on this 'logic'. People find their true fulfillment by acting in accordance with the laws of Rta. Ignoring these laws leads to chaos and suffering. In order to ensure well-being, it is necessary for individuals to align their actions with this cosmic order. This process is referred to as dharma, derived from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰer- ('to support')

Dharma comprises the principles and rules that support the Rta. Failure to follow these laws results in adharma, which disrupts the natural balance and leads to misery and misfortune.

The Greek word cosmos literally means "order" or "ordered world" and is contrasted with chaos, which refers to disorder or the primordial state without structure.

The Fates—the Norns, Matres, and Moirai—guard this cosmic order.

Etimology

The origin of the name "norn" is uncertain. One possibility is that it derives from a word meaning "to entwine," which would refer to spinning the thread of fate. Bek-Pedersen suggests that "norn" is related to the Swedish dialect word norna (or nyrna), meaning "to communicate secretly." This would portray the Norns as dark figures who reveal fate only when it is fulfilled.

The name Urðr (Old English: Wyrd) means "fate." Although Urðr and Wyrd are etymologically related, they may not always share the same meaning. Urðr and Verðandi are derived from the Old Norse verb verða ("to become"), which goes back to Proto-Germanic wurdiz and Proto-Indo-European wrti- ("to turn"). It is often assumed that Urðr refers to the past ("that which happened"), Verðandi to the present ("that which is happening"), and Skuld, derived from Old Norse skulu ("must"), to the future ("that which will happen"). However, there is debate as to whether these names actually imply a chronological timeline, since the words themselves do not denote specific periods of time in Old Norse.

Composition

In this composition, the appearance of the Norns Urðr, Verðandi, and Skuld has been reconstructed based on mythological traditions. Since there is limited information available about their physical features, we have made connections with similar traditions that, in our view, are related to the Norns. In doing so, we have created a bridge to make their representation more complete. We have drawn parallels with the Germanic Matres and the Greek Moirai, among others.

This composition is also ideal if you are looking for a white, magical or mythological look. We have kept a historical approach in these looks as much as possible. These outfits are therefore also very suitable for use for priestesses. White stood for beauty and virginity. Free from outside influences. Tacitus mentioned that Germanic priestesses were always dressed in white during the ritual. White and beauty stand for the cosmic order.

Urðr (Wyrd)

Urðr, which means "fate" in Old Norse, is one of the three Norns, together with Verðandi and Skuld. She is mentioned in the Völuspá and Gylfaginning of the Poetic Edda. Urðr resides, along with the other Norns, at the well Urðarbrunnr beneath the Yggdrasil in Asgard. Here they spin the threads of life and determine the fate of humanity. Traditionally, Urðr is believed to represent the past. In some English translations, she is also rendered as "Wyrd," the Old English term for fate.

Cornucopia/Cauldron

In the Germanic and Celtic tradition of the Matres, she is often depicted with a cornucopia, or agricultural produce. We have depicted Urðr with a large cauldron that represents (re)birth and represents the beginning of life.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/early-medieval-cauldron-large.html

Dress & underdress

In this composition, Urðr wears a underdress and a dress over it.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/rusvik-viking-dress-lilia-natural.html

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-dress-valdis-natural.html

Viking knife

On her belt Urðr wears a Viking work knife. Knives like this were often worn by Viking women.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-knife-9th-10th-century-gotland-type.html

Viking shoes

In this composition Urðr wears Viking shoes. During the ritual she will probably be barefoot to make more contact with the earth, which represents the cosmos.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-shoes-heimdall.html

Viking belt

Urðr wears a beautiful luxurious Viking belt to reflect her wealth.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/birka-belt-deluxe-brown-silvered.html

Headscarf

During some rituals, Urðr wears a headscarf. The headscarf represents recognition of the divine over the mortal.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/medieval-headscarf.html

Norn Verðandi

In Norse mythology, Verðandi (Old Norse for "happens" or "present") is the second Norn who, along with Urðr and Skuld, weaves the threads of fate. The name Verðandi is the present participle of the Old Norse verb verða, meaning "to become." It is usually translated as "in becoming" or "that which happens," and is related to the Dutch worden and the German werden.

Spindle

Verðandi weaves fate with her spindle. This is visible in the tradition of all Indo-European Fates. The Spindle we used is a replica of an original from the Viking era.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/wooden-spindle.html

Loom

Verðandi also carries a loom that is a reproduction of an original from the Viking era.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-loom.html

Viking bag

Verðandi carries a Viking bag that is based on an original found in the Viking city of Haithabu

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-pouch-haithabu.html

Underdress & dress

Verðandi wears a dress and a slip underneath. This creates a layered look to her outfit.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/early-medieval-dress-aelswith-natural.html

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/medieval-dress-elisa-white.html

Viking belt

In this composition Verðandi wears a deluxe Viking belt

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/birka-belt-deluxe.html

Viking shoes

Verðandi wears Viking shoes based on fragments found in the Viking ship burial of Oseberg.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-boots-oseberg.html

Headscarf

During some rituals Verðandi wears a headscarf. The headscarf represents recognition of the divine above the mortal.

https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/medieval-veil.html

Norn Skuld

Skuld, meaning "debt" or "obligation", is the third Norn who weaves the fate of the people. Her name shows etymological affinity with the English should. In addition to her role as a Norn, Skuld also appears as a valkyrie in at least two poems.