The Poetic Edda on Norns

The > Volume I > Notes

• attestation: The giant-maids mentioned in Voluspo stanza 8 may be the three great Norns, paralleling the three fates

  "Giant-maids: perhaps the three great Norns, corresponding to the three fates; cf. stanza 20 and note."

• attestation: In Vafthruthnismol 49, the Norns are described as 'three throngs' of giant-maidens, while Fafnismol 13 indicates the existence of many lesser Norns of various races

  "In Vafthruthnismol, 49, the Norns (this time "three throngs" instead of simply "three") are spoken of as giant-maidens; Fafnismol, 13, indicates the existence of many lesser Norns, belonging to various races."

The > Volume Ii > Introductory Note

• attestation: The stanza references rulership or authority involving Norns.

  "2. 'Twas night in the dwelling, | and Norns there came, Who shaped the life | of the lofty one; They bade him most famed | of fighters all And best of princes | ever to be."

The > Volume Ii > Notes

• attestation: In Helgakvitha Hundingsbana I the Norns preside over Helgi's destiny at birth, not a Valkyrie

  "Norns: cf. Voluspo, 20 and note. Here it is the Norns who preside over Helgi's early destiny, and not a Valkyrie"

The > Volume Ii > (Iv)

• attestation: Norns is characterized by beauty in the verse.

  "18. "Maid, not fair | is all thy fortune, The Norns I blame | that this should be; This morn there fell | at Frekastein Bragi and Hogni | beneath my hand."

The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Introductory Note

• attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Norns.

  "11. "The fate of the Norns | before the headland Thou findest, and doom of a fool; In the water shalt drown | if thou row 'gainst the wind, All danger is near to death."

Sigurth spake:"

• attestation: Norns is characterized by wisdom in the verse.

  "12. "Tell me then, Fafnir, | for wise thou art famed, And much thou knowest now: Who are the Norns | who are helpful in need, And the babe from the mother bring?"

Fafnir spake:"

• attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Norns.

  "12. "Tell me then, Fafnir, | for wise thou art famed, And much thou knowest now: Who are the Norns | who are helpful in need, And the babe from the mother bring?"

Fafnir spake:"

• attestation: Norns is associated with the object Gungnir.

  "17. On glass and on gold, | and on goodly charms, In wine and in beer, | and on well-loved seats, On Gungnir's point, | and on Grani's breast, On the nails of Norns, | and the night-owl's beak. "

• attestation: The stanza contains a reference to fate or prophecy concerning Norns.

  "7. "The word I have spoken; | soon shall I rue it, His wife is Guthrun, | and Gunnar's am I; Ill Norns set for me | long desire.""

• attestation: The stanza describes death or destruction involving Norns.

  "25. "I dreamed that by night | came dead women hither, Sad were their garments, | and thee were they seeking; They bade thee come swiftly | forth to their benches, And nothing, methinks, | could the Norns avail thee." "

• attestation: The stanza references rulership or authority involving Norns.

  "25. "I dreamed that by night | came dead women hither, Sad were their garments, | and thee were they seeking; They bade thee come swiftly | forth to their benches, And nothing, methinks, | could the Norns avail thee." "

• attestation: The stanza describes cosmological elements involving Norns.

  "13. "To the sea I went, | my heart full sore For the Norns, whose wrath | I would now escape; But the lofty billows | bore me undrowned, Till to land I came, | so I longer must live."

• attestation: Norns is characterized by grimness in the verse.

  "29. "In fashion of wolves | it befits us not Amongst ourselves to strive, Like the hounds of the Norns, | that nourished were In greed mid wastes so grim."

• attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Norns.

  "30. "We have greatly fought, | o'er the Goths do we stand By our blades laid low, | like eagles on branches; Great our fame though we die | today or tomorrow; None outlives the night | when the Norns have spoken.""

The > part in a few of the Eddic poems. > Notes

• attestation: Hounds of the Norns is a kenning for wolves

  "Hounds of the Norns: wolves."