Gender Feminine
Other Forms FormsNorcia, Norsia, Nercia, Nyrtia
Meaning & History
Latinized form of Nurtia. This was the name of the Etruscan goddess of fate and fortune. Her attribute is a large nail and at the beginning of the New Year a nail was driven into a wall in her sanctuary. This is variously explained as a fertility rite, an expiation rite, or symbolizing the conclusion of the year just past. Her temple was located in Volsini, the center of the Etruscan federation (currently the Italian city Bolsena).