In Norse mythology, the Norns serve the crucial role of controlling the fates of gods and humans alike. Similar to the Fates in Greek mythology, the Norns, named Urðr (who represents the past), Verðandi (the present), and Skuld (the future), oversee the three stages of existence. They reside at the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil, where they weave the destinies of all beings. Their influence highlights the notion of time and fate in Norse belief, emphasizing the inevitability of fate and the interconnectedness of life events.