Three Norns 1877

Hans Thoma created this drawing of the Three Norns, figures of Norse mythology, in the late 19th or early 20th century. These mysterious women control destiny, which they spin, measure, and cut as threads of fate. Note the rope or thread in each of the Norns' hands: Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld – representing the past, present, and future. The cyclical nature of time and destiny is echoed across cultures, such as the Greek Moirae, who also spun the threads of life. The recurring image of the thread illustrates the human preoccupation with understanding the meaning of destiny. As a symbol, the thread is a potent reminder of the interconnectedness of life events, and the underlying, often unseen forces that shape our experiences, engaging with our deepest fears and hopes. So the threads of fate continue to weave their way through our collective consciousness.