Learn The Runes

Written by

Elin aka Mooselady

BA in Cultural heritage and BA in Archaeology from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Huge runestone enthusiast and history buff. Elin is using social media to bring awareness to the runestones, petroglyphs and early history of Scandinavia.

Table of content

Topics covered

What are runes?

Runes are historical characters whose purpose is to reproduce and mimic certain sounds, to create words and meanings. They are in that sense comparable to any other alphabet. The oldest finds of rune carvings date back to the year 0, in 2021 the oldest rune carving was found on the “Svingerud Stone” located in Norway.

Geographically the runes have been used mostly around Scandinavia, this statement is based upon how many archaeological finds we have from this part of the world. There oldest sources of languages documented in their indigenous language in Europe is Ancient Bulgarian, Latin, Ancient Greek and proto Germanic through the Runes.

It is worth mentioning that the bigger part of the different societies in Europe using Germanic Languages has used runes in different capacities and some have archaeological traces of this, so runes have not only been found in Scandinavia.

Since Scandinavia is the rune’s “home” and since that is where finds go back to the year 0, this post will mainly focus on the Scandinavian usage of these characters. However, we will absolutely show and inform about different runic alphabets other than the ones found in Scandinavia. If you have ever wondered about what runes used to be, what they are used for nowadays and most in between - welcome and enjoy!

Did you know?

Runes might have gotten their pointy shapes because of them being carved into wood or stone. During the times where the runes were used there was no access to softer material than wood to note them down on. Which also explains why the rune staves aren’t carved horizontally, since that would crack, break or melt together with the veins of the wood.

Runes and language

The first language of the runes (elder futhark) is still somewhat of a mystery, since we can’t be 100% sure exactly how it sounded like. Proto-Norse (a form of a Proto-Germanic language) is the foundation for what the Nordic languages would become later on.

The first runes to be found before the year 2021, were found on a small comb in Denmark. It is known as the Vimose Comb and has been dated back to around the year 160 AD.

The runic inscription has been translated to the word “harja”, which could refer to the comb’s owner. It has also been theorised to mean “warrior”. The word “harja” has also been found carved on a runestone in Sweden (Sö 32), this stone dates back to around the 5th century. Even though the earliest finds of this language are from the 2nd century, we can assume that the runes are much older, since the first finds show a defined way and an awareness of using these characters.

Earliest carved runes found on a comb from Denmark around 160 AD

A very old new discovery
I am sorry, but a play on words was necessary with this happy news! There has been a huge discovery in terms of runestones, and I feel it is my obligation and big pleasure to provide you guys with what we know so far about it!

Every now and then, scientists make huge discoveries that throw everything written into history books straight out of the window. What was found in Svingerud, Norway in 2021 is such a discovery.

The archaeologists had a task of conducting a dig of a grave field found in Svingerud by the Tyrifjord. In one of the graves containing burned bones and charcoal, they also found a stone. A runestone. Thanks to science and the lovely C-14 method, the archaeologists could successfully date the burned bones and charcoal found next to this stone. The grave’s insides are dated to around the years 0-250 A.D. This runestone is around 2000 years old. Which makes it the oldest runestone ever to be found (with proof of its age). It is named after its place of origin and has the name the Svingerudstone.

Around 2000 years ago someone put time and effort into carving these elder futhark runes into this stone, and then putting it into a grave. Since it was carved so long ago, the language it is carved in is so far away from the one that was spoken during the Viking Age, which makes it much harder to translate.

The archaeologists in Norway have translated the rune carving into “Idiberug”, which is speculated to be a woman's name, or maybe a family name. There is also a peculiar ᛒ-rune in this carving, with 2 ᛒ on top of each other. There’s also different patterns carved on the stone here and there. Maybe this is the work of one person or several, maybe it's made for teaching purposes or as some kind of game? Furthermore, the stones’ ᛖ-rune is earlier thought to have been used as an E-sound on runestones from the 400’s, which this stone again disproves.

Earlier research has presented the 300-400’s as the introduction of runestones in Scandinavia, which the Svingerudstone beats with many years. This new find has knocked the history books over and history now needs to be rewritten.

We are all anxiously awaiting the experts' new interpretations and conclusions about these new finds and their context.

The Svingerudstone found in Norway

The language had changed drastically during the 6th- and 7th- centuries, which also naturally changed the rune’s sounds and shapes (younger futhark).

Theories implies that traveling and the need for broader communication might have been the indicators for these changes. A society where you can communicate is a society that expands culturally. If a society can also add characters in order to communicate, that’s a sign of an expanding community and dynamic times taking form.

The first changes we can see in the language through the runes is that the words were shortened down (examples: stainaR -> stæin, wulfaR -> ulfR, jara -> ar), which maybe also shows why the runes became fever in number.

The next big change regarding the Nordic language and the runes came during the medieval times. The medieval runes were made to fit the Latin alphabet, so new runes were created in order to have the same number of runes as Latin letters. All of these different looking runes were not included in the rune row however, so even if the runes expanded in number, the official number of futhark runes kept on being 16, like in the Viking age.

Did you know?

The teachings and knowledge about runes has its own field of expertise. It is called ‘runology’ and has a long history in Sweden. In Sweden it dates back to before the 16th century but became more organised and specialised under the lead of the founder of The Swedish National Heritage Board: Johannes Bureus.

Did the Scandinavians count?
When it comes to numbers and having a system for that, as with most things in ancient Scandinavia, there is no tutorial of how that system worked documented down anywhere as far as we know of.

What we do know however is that the iron age Scandinavians were successful in selling and trading, which shows that there must indeed been a system in place to keep track of various tasks. Furthermore; it is a necessity to use counting when it comes to everyday tasks such as smithing, weaving and cooking. There has been many grave goods directly connected to merchant activities such as weights and scales with origins from Iron Age Scandinavia (in for example the Viking age city of Birka and on the island of Gotland).

Other evidence of that the Iron Age Scandinavians had some kind of numbering system can be found on runestones. On the “Runestone in Stora Ek”, county of Västergötland, Sweden. There is a carved down story about a father honouring his dead son. The runestone further covers information on what this father is inheriting from his son, which is 3 farmsteads and 30 coins to gather from a man named Erik. On this stone the 3 is carved as “þria” and the 30 is carved as “þria tiugu”. These words are old Norse for three and three and ten.

Futharks and finds

Finally, we have reached the part of our journey with the runes where we will address the futharks! Now that we have the explanation for why the runes look as they do in different ages, it is more than time to show these runes in a more organized manner.

So what is a FUTHARK?
A futhark is the collection of rune characters from a specific era. It works easily explained as an alphabet, where the characters come in a specific order (which can vary here and there). The expression “futhark” is used because of the six first runes of these “alphabets”, they spell out ᚠᚢᚦᚨᚱᚲ (or ᚠᚢᚦᛅᚱᚴ ) which translates into “futhark”.

How do we know which order the runes of the futharks are written in?
Because of various archaeological finds such as the Kylver-stone (Sweden), the Vadstena-bracteate (Sweden), and the Grumpa-bracteate (Sweden). On all of these finds the elder futhark is written down in a specific order. The Kylver-stone (4th century) is the oldest find of a fully carved down elder futhark. The oldest find containing younger futhark runes is quite macabre.

It is the skull fragment from Ribe (Denmark), where the younger futhark runes are carved on the inside of a human skull (8th century). The oldest find of the complete younger futhark can however be seen on the Gørlev stone (Denmark), this stone is from the 9th century.

Elder Futhark

Circa year 0 - 8th century, containing 24 runes

Younger Futhark

Circa 8th – 11th century, containing 16 runes

Medieval Rune Row

Circa 11th – 14th century (and specific locations in Sweden 16th and 19th century), containing 16 - 27+ runes

The Futhorc – Anglo-Saxon Runes

These Old English runes are a development from the Elder Futhark and were used during the 5th - 11th centuries.

It is theorised that these runes came from Frisia (what is now parts of Germany and the Netherlands) to the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, hence they are also called Anglo-Frisian runes.

The Futhorc takes different shapes depending on location and point in time.

Younger Futhark – Staveless Runes

Staveless runes (or Hälsingerunes) are minimalistic Younger Futhark runes.

These types of runes are mostly found in Hälsingland, Sweden. They are mostly found on stones. Wood carvings with these runes are very few.

Younger Futhark – Short-twig Runes

The Short-twig runes are a variation of the more common Younger Futhark runes. This type of futhark can also be called Rök-Runes. This is because the famous Rök-runestone (Sweden) is mainly carved with these runes.

The Short-twig runes were also commonly used in Norway (Oseberg ship, 9th century).

Secret Runes (Lönnrunes)

Secret runes (or Lönnrunes) are runes carved in various imaginary patterns to keep the reader from cracking the code to their meaning. The Rök-runestone mentioned above in the section about Short-twigged runes has Secret runes as well.

Believe it or not, but the beardy faces you can see on the wooden stick (late 11th century, Bergen, Norway) are runes. The beard-staves to the left represents where in the Futhark the rune belongs, and the beard-staves to the right represents which one of these runes of the family it is more specifically. The same principle can be used on other secret runes. It is however very hard to read these types of runes and they are absolutely for the more hardcore rune-enthusiast to decipher.

Dal-runes

In the county of Dalarna in Sweden, the Dal-runes were used locally for a long time (16th – 19th centuries). What stands out with the Dal-runes is that they were used for such a long time and that they were mixed with letters of the Latin alphabet. These runes were carved into tables, in bowls and most famously theorised on the Kensington runestone in Minnesota, USA. The Kensington runestone has been theorised to have been carved with late 19th century Dal-runes, and these Dal-runes has been linked to a set of peculiar looking runes in Medelpad Sweden called the Hassela-runes – which today (2021 AD) have the strongest direct link to the Kensington runestone.

Where do the runes come from?

“I know I hung on that windy tree
nine whole days and nights,
stabbed with a spear, offered to Odin,
myself to mine own self given,
high on that Tree of which none hath heard
from what roots it rises.

None refreshed me ever with
food or drink,
I peered right down in the deep;
crying aloud I lifted the Runes
then back I fell from thence”
– Odin, Hávamál

The Hávamál is a collection of old Norse wisdom that can be found in the Poetic Edda written down during the 13th century. It is however theorised that its content is much older and that its tales have been a part of the oral tradition in Scandinavia before it was ever written down.

In the poems we are told that Odin was the one to give the runes to the humans of Midgard after discovering their secrets when he hung from the worldtree Yggdrasil.

If these tales are much older than the 13th century, it is possible that the people living through the 7th and 8th centuries didn’t know either where the runes came from originally, and these stories could be an expression of that.

Especially when the earliest form of runes might have been difficult to understand as well for them, since the evolution of the language drastically had changed at a fast pace.

This theory gets stronger when you take in consideration that there are runestones from the 7th and 8th centuries, which means this information comes straight from the source, that mentions the runes being invented by the gods.

The Nolebystone and Sparlösastone (Sweden) are two of these runestones whose carvings mention how the runes are originating from the gods.

Sparlösastone in Sweden

But if not from Odin – then who and where?

The discussion of where the runes came from originally is a topic that keeps being debated by runologists. There are constantly new archaeological discoveries being made and with this there are naturally new theories taking form. The three most discussed theories where the runes originate from are as follows:

The Greek theory

“The Greek theory” presents a solution where the Goths created the runes. This is based upon Greek cursive writing supplemented by a few Roman cursive letters. And that the runes would have been created when the Goths encountered Greeks and Romans. This theory concludes that the runes would have been created around 250 AD. This theory was presented during the 1930’s, and it falls apart due to that the dating of runic finds has improved. Some of these finds are way older than 250 AD.

The Etruscan theory

“The Etruscan theory” takes another turn with the origin with the runes. According to this theory the runes are based on one of the North Italic alphabets being used during the later centuries BC. These alphabets were modelled on the Etruscan alphabet. This theory presents that the runes probably were created in the south of Germany during the last century B.C. This theory falls flat when it comes to archaeological backing in finds. There are no runic finds in southern Germany that are older than the 6th century.

The Latin theory

“The Latin theory” is one of the more accepted theories out of all of these three. It centres around the Romans as the inspirational sources for the futhark. Since the Romans were the dominating culture during the beginning of our era. It is a known fact that Germanic people came in close contact with Romans during these times. Since also many runes resemble the Roman alphabetical letters, for example how ᚠ, ᚱ and ᚺ resembles the Roman F, R, H. There however lacks an explanation to the divergences in sound values and forms of the characters in this theory.

It is very hard to pinpoint of course. When does borrowing shapes or letters become their own, after being inspired from another source than their own language? Since cultures constantly change and language evolves uncontrollably during many periods of human history, it might seem an impossible task to know where to start with trying to find the origin of the runes. “Impossible” is however a word enthusiasts and experts never have believed in, luckily. Will we ever get a completed answer to when and how the runes came to be? Maybe one day.

Then what – where did the runes go?

Let us start off with a very important fact; it is impossible for us today to know how big part of the population during the Scandinavian Iron Age actually had the ability to read the runes. It is a fact during many other time periods that mainly a society’s elite has had the privilege to read, but who knows during these times. It is important to acknowledge what we do not, and cannot know about these times, and who could and who couldn’t read is one of those things.

To understand why the runes are not used as the common style of writing (carving) anymore we must understand two things:
- What the runes were mainly used for
- What went on in the society during the 11th and 12th centuries in Scandinavia

The end of an era
Every great era must end eventually, and this also meant that the people in Scandinavia stopped raising runestones during the 11th and 12th century to honour their deceased loved ones.

Before the 11th century it was more common to raise a runestone close to different roads and paths where people would easily see them. The bodies of the deceased were often buried in a burial field close by to the farm.

Did you know?

There are messages of love carved in runes from medieval Sweden. On a wooden weaving-knife (Lödöse, Sweden) the runes say: - Think of me, I think of you. Love you me, I love you.

In Scandinavia these grave fields can still easily be spotted, with their grave mounds looking like tiny “hobbit like” hills.

Somewhere during the early 11th century and during the 12th century the Scandinavians, in different capacities, stopped burying their loved ones in the burial fields. The dead were instead brought to the cemetery. In a cemetery the deceased were often given a tombstone instead of a raised runestone near a road.

Picture of a miniature church showing runestones used as tombstones

No runestones - no runes?
Absolutely not the case! Even though the runestones and burial ceremonies changed during the early medieval times the usage of runes didn’t decrease. Instead of carving runestones, the carving continued with different objects, some made out of wood. There were messages being sent back and forth, secrets shared, prayers carved down and the names of the owners of different tools.

Did you know?

There are also medieval messages in runes, on wooden sticks (Bryggen, Norway) saying things like: - Lovely c*nt, let d*ck fill it.

The finds of carvings of runes in wood shows very interesting patters, one of these patterns is how objects have been “named” in a peculiar way, as it is the object itself that tells you who they belong to. An example is an axe found in Lödöse, Sweden. It says “Petar a mik iohannes risti mik”, which translates into “Peter owns me, Johannes carved me”. Just like it is the axe talking. Since people must have been very tied to their belongings back then, it would make sense that they would gain somewhat of a personality of their own.

However – wooden materials aren’t spared by time passing by as well as stones. So not many of these wooden objects have been found. There have been many finds of medieval messages carved in runes made on metal-, horn- and bone- objects.

The tradition of carving in stone didn’t die out completely either, since there are different stone objects found in churches that have medieval messages carved on them as well.

Baptismal font showing runes being used on it

The fading
It took a couple hundreds of years for the Latin alphabet to become the norm in Scandinavia. When Christianity in Scandinavia became more and more common during the 10th, 11th and 12th century, so did the art of writing the much softer shaped Latin letters on parchment.

That type of writing however required additional tools such as pen and ink. Since most common people back then had easy access to knives, it was both easier and cheaper continuing to carve runes on tree sticks. There is absolutely a transition taking place in early medieval Scandinavia, both with how the society was changing in terms of religion, tradition and with the usage of runes. Some finds from these times have a mix of runes written in Latin and not old Norse, but also runes and letters being used together.

Gravelid from Ugglum showing latin and runes together

During the mid-14th century, the art of carving runes disappeared in most parts of Scandinavia. If the sudden decrease around that time was just a natural transition or if it was connected to the horrific ravage of the black plague, we do not know.

The exceptions
There is no period in time that is completely black and white, this also goes for the transition from runes to Latin letters. As earlier mentioned there is something called the Dal-runes used in Dalarna (Sweden) up until the 19th century. These runes were mixed with the Latin letters and had different shapes than the medieval runes.

The Dal-runes tells us about the starvation taking place during the 18th century. Someone has carved: “On this table a lot of food could be stored. One could be happy to have as much. Amen.” on a wooden table.

Rune carving was also spared longer on the island of Gotland (Sweden) and in Iceland. This tradition was upheld until around the 16th century.

Gravelid from Ugglum showing latin and runes together

They never really went away
Believe it or not, the usage of runes never completely went away and is on the rise again. There have been more modern usages of the runes. Even though we are having a hard time pinpointing where they came from, we can undoubtedly talk about where they have been recently.

The names of the runes - poetry and calendars

The names of the runes is a topic that comes up time and time again, whenever one searches for information about them. These names have later become connected with mysterious and magical meanings, which we will go through more in the “Magic and binding” section of this post.

The names of the runes however originate from rune poems that have been saved from England, Norway and Iceland. These rune poems could originate from different points in time, we will be transparent about what we know and what we have no idea about so far (2021 AD).

The Old English rune poem

Preserved in a 10th century manuscript, located at the Cotton library in London. This manuscript was then lost in a fire, it had luckily been copied 26 years before the scripture was destroyed.

That copy from 1705 is the base of what we know about the Old English rune poem today. It contains 16 similar runes to the other two poems, 8 elder futhark runes and 5 Anglo-Saxon runes (these 5 have nothing to do with Scandinavian runes at all).

The Norwegian rune poem

Based upon a 17th century copy of an earlier destroyed manuscript originating from the 13th century.

The Icelandic rune poem

This one can be found in four manuscripts, where the oldest of them dates back to the later part of the 15th century.

The Old English rune poem covers the sounds and “names” of the 29 Anglo-Saxon runes, while the Norwegian and Icelandic poems cover the sounds and “names” of the 16 runes of the younger futhark. What is fascinating is that these different rune poems tie into each other and have more similarities than differences, when it comes to the 16 runes they have in common.

Now when we have the background of what these poems are, let’s talk about the names of these runes. It seems like just as when children today use rhymes to remember the alphabet, humans back in the day used rhymes to remember the sounds of the runes.

These poems could connect the ᛋ-rune (s) with the word sól (sun) like this:
“Sól er skýja skjöldr, ok skínandi röðull, ok ísa aldrtregi” – “Sun shield of the clouds and shining ray and destroyer of ice”.

The rune is followed with a poem whose first word starts with the same sound of the mentioned rune. If there were other local poems going around depending on dialect differences, we don’t know. Since these are the poems we have to rely on in today’s world, the runes have been named thereafter.

Medieval rune calendars are also something showing that the runes never disappeared completely. The rune calendars are viewed as a Swedish invention introduced during the 13th century (probably earlier), but mostly used from 16th to 17th centuries. They spiked in popularity again during the end of 18th and early 19th century.

In some of these calendars Christian holidays are included and some are without holidays. These calendars have been carved on horns, wood and bone. The oldest find of one calendar is a so-called “rune stave” from the 13th century. This stave was found in Nyköping, Sweden.

Picture of a rune calendar from 1778

Names of the Runes and rune poems

Rune

Elder

Younger

Anglian

Poem

ᚠ

ᚠ Fehu

Wealth, Cattle, The God Frey

ᚠ Fé

Wealth

ᚠ Feoh

Wealth

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen
the wolf lives in the forest.

Norewegian rune poem:
Fé vældr frænda róge
føðesk ulfr í skóge.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Wealth
Source of discord among kinsmen
and fire of the sea
and path of the serpent.

Icelandic rune poem:
Fé er frænda róg
ok flæðar viti
ok grafseiðs gata
aurum fylkir.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Wealth is a comfort to all men;
yet must every man bestow it freely,
if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Feoh byþ frofur fira gehwylcum;
sceal ðeah manna gehwylc miclun hyt dælan
gif he wile for drihtne domes hleotan.

ᚢ

ᚢ Ūruz

Aurochs

ᚢ Úr

Iron, Rain

ᚢ Ūr

Aurochs

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Dross comes from bad iron
the reindeer often races over the frozen snow.

Norewegian rune poem:
Úr er af illu jarne
opt løypr ræinn á hjarne.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Shower
Lamentation of the clouds
and ruin of the hay-harvest
and abomination of the shepherd.

Icelandic rune poem:
Úr er skýja grátr
ok skára þverrir
ok hirðis hatr.
umbre vísi

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The aurochs is proud and has great horns;
it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;
a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Ur byþ anmod ond oferhyrned,
felafrecne deor, feohteþ mid hornum
mære morstapa; þæt is modig wuht.

ᚦ

ᚦ Þurisaz

Jotünn, The God Thor, Giant

ᚦ Thurs

Giant

ᚦ Þorn

Thorn

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Giant causes anguish to women
misfortune makes few men cheerful.

Norewegian rune poem:
Þurs vældr kvinna kvillu
kátr værðr fár af illu.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Giant
Torture of women
and cliff-dweller
and husband of a giantess.

Icelandic rune poem:
Þurs er kvenna kvöl
ok kletta búi
ok varðrúnar verr.
Saturnus þengill.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The thorn is exceedingly sharp,
an evil thing for any knight to touch,
uncommonly severe on all who sit among them.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Ðorn byþ ðearle scearp; ðegna gehwylcum
anfeng ys yfyl, ungemetum reþe
manna gehwelcum, ðe him mid resteð.

ᚨ

ᚨ Ansuz

Aesir God, The God Odin

ᚬ As, Oss

God, The God Odin

ᚩ Ōs

God, Or Mouth in Latin

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Estuary is the way of most journeys
but a scabbard is of swords.

Norewegian rune poem:
Óss er flæstra færða fǫr
en skalpr er sværða.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
God
Aged Gautr
and prince of Ásgardr
and lord of Vallhalla.

Icelandic rune poem:
Óss er algingautr
ok ásgarðs jöfurr,
ok valhallar vísi.
Jupiter oddviti.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The mouth is the source of all language,
a pillar of wisdom and a comfort to wise men,
a blessing and a joy to every knight.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Os byþ ordfruma ælere spræce,
wisdomes wraþu ond witena frofur
and eorla gehwam eadnys ond tohiht.

ᚱ

ᚱ Raidō

Ride, Journey

ᚱ Reið

Ride

ᚱ Rād

Riding

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Riding is said to be the worst thing for horses
Reginn forged the finest sword.

Norewegian rune poem:
Ræið kveða rossom væsta
Reginn sló sværðet bæzta.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Riding
Joy of the horsemen
and speedy journey
and toil of the steed.

Icelandic rune poem:
Reið er sitjandi sæla
ok snúðig ferð
ok jórs erfiði.
iter ræsir.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Riding seems easy to every warrior while he is indoors
and very courageous to him who traverses the high-roads
on the back of a stout horse.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Rad byþ on recyde rinca gehwylcum
sefte ond swiþhwæt, ðamðe sitteþ on ufan
meare mægenheardum ofer milpaþas.

ᚲ

ᚲ Kaunan

ᚴ Kaun

Ulcer

ᚳ Cēn

Torch

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Ulcer is fatal to children
death makes a corpse pale.

Norewegian rune poem:
Kaun er barna bǫlvan
bǫl gørver nán fǫlvan.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Ulcer
Disease fatal to children
and painful spot
and abode of mortification.

Icelandic rune poem:
Kaun er barna böl
ok bardaga [för]
ok holdfúa hús.
flagella konungr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The torch is known to every living man by its pale, bright flame;
it always burns where princes sit within.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Cen byþ cwicera gehwam, cuþ on fyre
blac ond beorhtlic, byrneþ oftust
ðær hi æþelingas inne restaþ.

ᚷ

ᚷ Gebō

Gift

- -

ᚷ Gyfu

Gift

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one's dignity;
it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Gyfu gumena byþ gleng and herenys,
wraþu and wyrþscype and wræcna gehwam
ar and ætwist, ðe byþ oþra leas.

ᚹ

ᚹ Wunjō

Joy

- -

ᚹ Ƿynn

Mirth

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Bliss he enjoys who knows not suffering, sorrow nor anxiety,
and has prosperity and happiness and a good enough house.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Wenne bruceþ, ðe can weana lyt
sares and sorge and him sylfa hæfþ
blæd and blysse and eac byrga geniht.

ᚺ

ᚺ Hagalaz

Hail

ᚼ Hagall

Hail

ᚻ Hægl

Hail (Precipitation)

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Hail is the coldest of grain
Christ created the world of old.

Norewegian rune poem:
Hagall er kaldastr korna
Kristr skóp hæimenn forna.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Hail
Cold grain
and shower of sleet
and sickness of serpents.

Icelandic rune poem:
Hagall er kaldakorn
ok krapadrífa
ok snáka sótt.
grando hildingr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Hail is the whitest of grain;
it is whirled from the vault of heaven
and is tossed about by gusts of wind
and then it melts into water.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Hægl byþ hwitust corna; hwyrft hit of heofones lyfte,
wealcaþ hit windes scura; weorþeþ hit to wætere syððan.

ᚾ

ᚾ Naudiz

Need

ᚾ Nauðr

Need

ᚾ Nȳd

Need Plight

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Constraint gives scant choice
a naked man is chilled by the frost.

Norewegian rune poem:
Nauðr gerer næppa koste
nøktan kælr í froste.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Constraint
Grief of the bond-maid
and state of oppression
and toilsome work.

Icelandic rune poem:
Nauð er Þýjar þrá
ok þungr kostr
ok vássamlig verk.
opera niflungr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Trouble is oppressive to the heart;
yet often it proves a source of help and salvation
to the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Nyd byþ nearu on breostan; weorþeþ hi þeah oft niþa bearnum
to helpe and to hæle gehwæþre, gif hi his hlystaþ æror.

ᛁ

ᛁ Īsaz

Ice

ᛁ Ísa*,Íss

Ice

ᛁ Īs

Ice

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Ice we call the broad bridge
the blind man must be led.

Norewegian rune poem:
Ís kǫllum brú bræiða
blindan þarf at læiða.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Ice
Bark of rivers
and roof of the wave
and destruction of the doomed.

Icelandic rune poem:
Íss er árbörkr
ok unnar þak
ok feigra manna fár.
glacies jöfurr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;
it glistens as clear as glass and most like to gems;
it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Is byþ ofereald, ungemetum slidor,
glisnaþ glæshluttur gimmum gelicust,
flor forste geworuht, fæger ansyne.

ᛃ

ᛃ Jēra

Year, Good Year, Harvest

ᛅ Ár

Plenty

ᛡ, ᛄ Gēr

Year Harvest

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Plenty is a boon to men
I say that Frodi was generous.

Norewegian rune poem:
Ár er gumna góðe
get ek at ǫrr var Fróðe.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Plenty
Boon to men
and good summer
and thriving crops.

Icelandic rune poem:
Ár er gumna góði
ok gott sumar
algróinn akr.
annus allvaldr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Summer is a joy to men, when God, the holy King of Heaven,
suffers the earth to bring forth shining fruits
for rich and poor alike.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Ger byþ gumena hiht, ðonne God læteþ,
halig heofones cyning, hrusan syllan
beorhte bleda beornum ond ðearfum.

ᛈ

ᛈ Perþo

- -

ᛈ Peorð

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Peorth is a source of recreation and amusement to the great,
where warriors sit blithely together in the banqueting-hall.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Peorð byþ symble plega and hlehter
wlancum [on middum], ðar wigan sittaþ
on beorsele bliþe ætsomne.

ᛇ

ᛇ Eihwaz

Yew-Tree

- -

ᛇ Ēoh

Yew-Tree

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,
a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Eoh byþ utan unsmeþe treow,
heard hrusan fæst, hyrde fyres,
wyrtrumun underwreþyd, wyn on eþle.

ᛉ

ᛉ Algiz

Protection, Shielding

ᛦ Yr

Yew

ᛉ Eolhx

Elk-Sedge

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Yew is the greenest of trees in winter
it is wont to crackle when it burns.

Norewegian rune poem:
Ýr er vetrgrønstr viða
vænt er, er brennr, at sviða.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Yew
Bent bow
and brittle iron
and giant of the arrow.

Icelandic rune poem:
Ýr er bendr bogi
ok brotgjarnt járn
ok fífu fárbauti.
arcus ynglingr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The Eolh-sedge is mostly to be found in a marsh;
it grows in the water and makes a ghastly wound,
covering with blood every warrior who touches it.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Eolh-secg eard hæfþ oftust on fenne
wexeð on wature, wundaþ grimme,
blode breneð beorna gehwylcne
ðe him ænigne onfeng gedeþ.

ᛊ

ᛊ Sōwilō, Sól

Sun

ᛋ Sól

Sun

ᛋ, ᚴ Sigel

Sun

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Sun is the light of the world
I bow to the divine decree.

Norewegian rune poem:
Sól er landa ljóme
lúti ek helgum dóme.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Sun
Shield of the clouds
and shining ray
and destroyer of ice.

Icelandic rune poem:
Sól er skýja skjöldr
ok skínandi röðull
ok ísa aldrtregi.
rota siklingr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers
when they journey away over the fishes' bath,
until the courser of the deep bears them to land.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Sigel semannum symble biþ on hihte,
ðonne hi hine feriaþ ofer fisces beþ,
oþ hi brimhengest bringeþ to lande.

ᛏ

ᛏ Tīwaz, Teiwaz

The God Tyr, Sacrifice

ᛏ Týr

The God Tyr

ᛏ Tī, Tīr

Tyr

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Tyr is a one-handed god
often has the smith to blow.

Norewegian rune poem:
Týr er æinendr ása
opt værðr smiðr blása.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Tyr
God with one hand
and leavings of the wolf
and prince of temples.

Icelandic rune poem:
Týr er einhendr áss
ok ulfs leifar
ok hofa hilmir.
Mars tiggi.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Tiw is a guiding star; well does it keep faith with princes;
it is ever on its course over the mists of night and never fails.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Tir biþ tacna sum, healdeð trywa wel
wiþ æþelingas; a biþ on færylde
ofer nihta genipu, næfre swiceþ.

ᛒ

ᛒ Berkanan

Birch

ᛒ Björk, Bjarkan, Bjarken

Birch

ᛒ Beorc

Birch-Tree

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Birch has the greenest leaves of any shrub
Loki was fortunate in his deceit.

Norewegian rune poem:
Bjarkan er laufgrønstr líma
Loki bar flærða tíma.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Birch
Leafy twig
and little tree
and fresh young shrub.

Icelandic rune poem:
Bjarkan er laufgat lim
ok lítit tré
ok ungsamligr viðr.
abies buðlungr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The poplar bears no fruit; yet without seed it brings forth suckers,
for it is generated from its leaves.
Splendid are its branches and gloriously adorned
its lofty crown which reaches to the skies.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Beorc byþ bleda leas, bereþ efne swa ðeah
tanas butan tudder, biþ on telgum wlitig,
heah on helme hrysted fægere,
geloden leafum, lyfte getenge.

ᛖ

ᛖ Ehwaz

Horse

- -

ᛖ Eh

Horse

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The horse is a joy to princes in the presence of warriors.
A steed in the pride of its hoofs,
when rich men on horseback bandy words about it;
and it is ever a source of comfort to the restless.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Eh byþ for eorlum æþelinga wyn,
hors hofum wlanc, ðær him hæleþ ymb[e]
welege on wicgum wrixlaþ spræce
and biþ unstyllum æfre frofur.

ᛗ

ᛗ Mannaz

Man

ᛘ Maðr

Man

ᛗ Mann

Man

Norewegian rune poem translation:
Man is an augmentation of the dust
great is the claw of the hawk.

Norewegian rune poem:
Maðr er moldar auki
mikil er græip á hauki.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Man
Delight of man
and augmentation of the earth
and adorner of ships.

Icelandic rune poem:
Maðr er manns gaman
ok moldar auki
ok skipa skreytir.
homo mildingr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The joyous man is dear to his kinsmen;
yet every man is doomed to fail his fellow,
since the Lord by his decree will commit the vile carrion to the earth.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Man byþ on myrgþe his magan leof:
sceal þeah anra gehwylc oðrum swican,
forðum drihten wyle dome sine
þæt earme flæsc eorþan betæcan.

ᛚ

ᛚ Laguz

Water, Lake

ᛚ Lögr

Sea

ᛚ Lagu

Lay Lake

Norewegian rune poem translation:
A waterfall is a River which falls from a mountain-side
but ornaments are of gold.

Norewegian rune poem:
Lǫgr er, fællr ór fjalle foss
en gull ero nosser.

Icelandic rune poem translation:
Water
Eddying stream
and broad geysir
and land of the fish.

Icelandic rune poem:
Lögr er vellanda vatn
ok viðr ketill
ok glömmungr grund.
lacus lofðungr.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The ocean seems interminable to men,
if they venture on the rolling bark
and the waves of the sea terrify them
and the courser of the deep heed not its bridle.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Lagu byþ leodum langsum geþuht,
gif hi sculun neþan on nacan tealtum
and hi sæyþa swyþe bregaþ
and se brimhengest bridles ne gym[eð].

ᛜ

ᛜ Ingwaz

The God Yngvi

- -

ᛝ Ing

Ingui-Frey

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Ing was first seen by men among the East-Danes,
till, followed by his chariot,
he departed eastwards over the waves.
So the Heardingas named the hero.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Ing wæs ærest mid East-Denum
gesewen secgun, oþ he siððan est
ofer wæg gewat; wæn æfter ran;
ðus Heardingas ðone hæle nemdun.

ᛞ

ᛞ Dagaz

Day

- -

ᛞ Dæg

Day

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Day, the glorious light of the Creator, is sent by the Lord;
it is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,
and of service to all.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Dæg byþ drihtnes sond, deore mannum,
mære metodes leoht, myrgþ and tohiht
eadgum and earmum, eallum brice.

ᛟ

ᛟ Ōþila, Ōþala

Heritage, Estate, Possession

- -

ᛟ Ēðel

Ethel, Estate, Homeland

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
An estate is very dear to every man,
if he can enjoy there in his house
whatever is right and proper in constant prosperity.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Eþel byþ oferleof æghwylcum men,
gif he mot ðær rihtes and gerysena on
brucan on bolde bleadum oftast.

ᚪ

- -

ᚪ Āc

Oak-Tree

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.
Often it traverses the gannet's bath,
and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faith
in honourable fashion.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Ac byþ on eorþan elda bearnum
flæsces fodor, fereþ gelome
ofer ganotes bæþ; garsecg fandaþ
hwæþer ac hæbbe æþele treowe.

ᚫ

- -

ᚫ Æsc

Ash-Tree

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The ash is exceedingly high and precious to men.
With its sturdy trunk it offers a stubborn resistance,
though attacked by many a man.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Æsc biþ oferheah, eldum dyre
stiþ on staþule, stede rihte hylt,
ðeah him feohtan on firas monige.

ᚣ

- -

ᚣ Ȳr

Battlegear

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Yr is a source of joy and honour to every prince and knight;
it looks well on a horse and is a reliable equipment for a journey.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Yr byþ æþelinga and eorla gehwæs
wyn and wyrþmynd, byþ on wicge fæger,
fæstlic on færelde, fyrdgeatewa sum.

ᛡ

- -

ᛡ Īor

Beaver

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
Iar is a river fish and yet it always feeds on land;
it has a fair abode encompassed by water, where it lives in happiness.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Iar byþ eafix and ðeah a bruceþ
fodres on foldan, hafaþ fægerne eard
wætre beworpen, ðær he wynnum leofaþ.

ᛠ

- -

ᛠ Ēar

Grave Soil

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
The grave is horrible to every knight,
when the corpse quickly begins to cool
and is laid in the bosom of the dark earth.
Prosperity declines, happiness passes away
and covenants are broken.

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
Ear byþ egle eorla gehwylcun,
ðonn[e] fæstlice flæsc onginneþ,
hraw colian, hrusan ceosan
blac to gebeddan; bleda gedreosaþ,
wynna gewitaþ, wera geswicaþ.

ᛣ

- -

ᛣ Calc

Chalice or Sandal

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
-

ᛤ

- -

ᛤ -

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
-

ᚸ

- -

ᚸ Gar

Spear

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
-

ᛢ

- -

ᛢ Cweorð

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
-

ᛥ

- -

ᛥ Stan

Stone

Norewegian rune poem translation:

Norewegian rune poem:
-

Icelandic rune poem translation:
-

Icelandic rune poem:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem translation:
-

Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
-

Runes and Magic

When talking about runes, it is inevitable to not get into the magical aspect of these characters. They are after all characters given to the people by the gods or Odin himself (if one is to believe the runestones or hávamál).

Tistel Mistel Kistel

“Tistel – mistel- kistel” is an expression that can be found on runestones and church walls around Scandinavia. It is written somewhat like this: “ᚦ ᛘ ᚴ ᛁᛁᛁ ᛋᛋᛋ ᛏᛏᛏ ᛁᛁᛁ ᛚᛚᛚ”. And these runes have had people scratching their heads, since there is a “rule” with viking age runestones; that they never repeat the same runes after each other.

However, both in Sweden and Denmark this exact sequence of runes has been found on stones. On the Gørlev stone (Denmark) the carver makes sure to mention, after this repetitive sequence of runes, that “I placed the runes right/in order”. On the Ledsberg stone (Sweden) this sequence shows up yet again.

Tistel-mistel-kistel are the words you get from deciphering the sequence (these are a form of hidden runes).
It is theorised that the tistel-mistel-kistel sequence has to do with spell work. What the function of this spell would have had is discussed. Maybe it is to keep the deceased safe from graverobbers (there are other examples of curses written on runestones where the carver is threatening graverobbers), or maybe as protection to keep the deceased from walking again. After all, no one wants to have a draugr at their door.'

In Norway there is a beautiful stave church in Borgund, which was built somewhere around the 12th century. Apart from that this church is beautiful inside and out, it also contains four different variations of the tistel-mistel-kistel sequence. One of them is carved into logs of the church, and it spells out with runes: “Tistil mistil ok hn thirithi thistil”, this translates to “Tistel, mistel, and the third thistel”.

Why would this “spell” be found in a church?
The answer might be underneath a loose stone, which was found on the church’s floor. It was by the looks of it a place where women buried unwanted children. They were placed into the church in small chests, under the floor, and maybe the tistel-mistel-kistel above their hidden away bodies would give them peace?

A L U

Alu is a runecarving that more than often is tied into cult and magic whenever one runs into it, but why is that?

When it comes to runes that are of the elder futhark, it is easy to apply a magic component to them simply because the meaning and use of these words has fallen away and are now covered in mystery.

It has been theorised that the end of the “Lindholmenamuletten” could have meant “öl” (which is Scandinavian ale), or a word that is used for protection. Alu is also found on the famous “Rökrunestone” found in Sweden, a stone also translated to include some magical components to the story it tells. Another example is a small soft, palm sized runestone fragment that has been carved with a knife and the runecarving is to be read from the right to left, which is inverted to how you usually read runes. This small runestone is named “VG134” and has been loosely translated into “aaaaaaaa alu h”, which is mentioned by runologists as very speculative since the runes are so old, but also mentions that it could have to do with the magical runecarving of Alu. Where exactly the beginning of the use of Alu as a magical spell is hard to pinpoint, there is only more modern sources stating that it is a “well known” magical rhythm of runes, where the magic has sneaked into these runes or what their translation is besides “ale” or being “tied to magic” is hard to know. It is all a big historical riddle.

Erilaz

There is an amount of rune carvings that dates back to the elder futhark, from the Scandinavian Migration period (circa 400-800 AD), where a curious words keeps repeating again and again.

Eril, Erillaz, ErillaR are different ways to carve what is believed to be the same expression. This word is found on carvings on runestones as well as bone-amulets from the Scandinavian migration period. Since the elder futhark is made in such an old language, many if the translations are somewhat impossible to get 100% correct. But that has never held the experts back from trying.

Eril has been translated to mean rune-master or an ancient expression for someone withholding magical powers (like a wizard or shaman). It is however more likely it has ties to the proto-germanic word for “jarl” (or the Anglo-Saxon “eorl”) which might indicate it has to do with military status.

An example where you can find Erillaz is the “Järsbergsstenen” in the country of Värmland, Sweden. Another example is of the more macabre sort, it is the “Lindholm amulet”, where the runes carved upon bone reads:

“ek erilaz sa wilagaz hateka :
ek erilaz sawilagaz hateka :
aaaaaaaazzznnn-bmuttt : alu”

The translation has been deciphered into: “I, eril, named Sawilagar. ... ... ale”, which again – this type of carving is a bit too old for us to be completely certain of it’s meaning. However, how this carving ends is what out next section is about.

Runemagic on Iceland and something small on bindrunes

On Iceland there are numerous accounts mentioning runemagic. As mentioned above, in Hávamál, there’s a mention of how Odin learned the runes and then gave them to the humans. In the saga of Bósi and Herraud (14th century) there’s a mention of the magical rune formula. Also the saga of Egil Skallagrimsson contains magical runes (13th century). They can heal sicknesses and pain, however they also can be used for bad intentions. In the Egil Skallagrimssons saga; a young man tries to cure a sick woman by carving ten different runes on a whalebone and putting it in her bed. When she gets sicker Egil feeds the bone to the flames and then creates a new one with different runes.

Now is a perfect moment to bring up facts and what we do know about rune magic. There are not reliable and authentic sources older than the viking age or the medieval times about rune magic. So those are the sources we have to keep in mind when talking about these things. When it comes to the elder futhark and the migration period we have no reliable source material. The magical runes that have been hidden away on the inside of clothes, carved on door frames, or carved on small wooden chips - looks far from the usual runes.Here we have examples of magical takes on ᚦ, ᚼ and ᛏ.

Magic symbols that bare similarities to runes

The idea is to bring out the inner meaning of the runes and make them stronger in their qualities. They could be hidden through spit or other body fluids, so people wouldn’t spot them, and also be used in something called “blótspónn”.

Blótspónn included runes being painted on wooden pawns in visible body fluids, such as blood.
Before they were to be used they would include a full futhark (so at least 16 pawns), and then also some extra characters depending on who and what the purpose was. These pawns were then thrown and from there the ritual would follow.

It is wiser to say that we know less than more when it comes to these types of things, just because the sources are so limited. In Tacitus Germania (written around the 1st century) there is a mention of activities, much like the blótspónn, going on in Germany around the 1st century:

"For omens and the casting of lots they have the highest regard. Their procedure in casting lots is always the same. They cut off a branch of a nut-bearing tree and slice it into strips; these they mark with different signs and throw them completely at random onto a white cloth. Then the priest of the state, if the consultation is a public one, or the father of the family if it is private, offers a prayer to the gods, and looking up at the sky picks up three strips, one at a time, and reads their meaning from the signs previously scored on them. If the lots forbid an enterprise, there is no deliberation that day on the matter in question ;' if they allow it, confirmation by the taking of auspices is required. Although the familiar method of seeking information from the cries and the flight of birds is known to the Germans, they have also a special method of their own - to try to obtain omens and warnings from horses”.

Since the 1980’s there has been a more modern, new age take on rune magic. Where one carves, burns or paints the elder futhark onto small pieces of wood or bone, and then tells one’s fortune with them. These are unchanged elder futhark runes or sometimes Anglo-Saxon ones. These types of runic pawns are used similarly as tarot-cards. They are said to predict the future and to guide you.

Now to the small part about bind runes. Bind runes can be found at a couple of rune carvings. They are often confused with the Icelandic Galdrastafir (magical staves). Galdrastafirs are not runes or bind runes. A bind rune is a rune that has two runes merged into one. As for example on a runestone in Bolum (Sweden) where ᛅ + ᛒ turn into one rune, a bind rune.

Example of bindrunes on real runestones

Modern uses of the Runes

Political purposes and ownership.
When writing about the modern usage of runes, we have to address the big, pink, tooting elephant in the room – the modern political use of them.

It does not often pass anyone by; there was an intense usage of runes during WW2 (1939-1945). Amongst other ones, the ᛋ rune and the ᛟ has been used heavily in different forms and ways during these times. Some quirks has also been added to these runes (as is the case with the ᛟ with two wings added at its bottom) which has created new forms of symbols. These symbols do not have a longer running history than from this point in time during and after World War 2.

It is therefore important to know the difference between historical futhark runes and newer adaptations of them. This has also inspired more modern political movements to use runes to promote their own agendas and ideologies. ᛘ and ᛏ are also runes that has lately been used for these purposes. No matter who these people are or what they promote, one thing is fact – no one owns the runes. Education will always be the solution to end misconceptions and mistakes to these things.

The big mix of Ragnar Lothbrok, assassins and mystical music.
The hit TV-series “Vikings” tells the tale about Ragnar Lothbrok and his adventures. Anyone who has an interest in Norse history will have heard about this series, and probably have one or two things to say about the historical accuracy of the show’s different elements. Even though the series does not give us anything in terms of runestones, it does display runes in different ways. The most noticeable usage of the runes in this series are the big runic tattoos running across the bodies of these TV-vikings. So the question that many get from watching these types of shows is

Did the vikings have these types of runic tattoos?
The honest answer is that we do not know. There has been no finds from the 8th - 11th centuries to give credit to this. However, there is an account about tattooed northerners by the Arabic observer Ibn Fadlan (10th century). He notes down in his Risala:

“Each man has an axe, a sword, and a knife and keeps each by him at all times. The swords are broad and grooved, of Frankish sort. Every man is tattooed from fingernails to neck with dark green trees and other figures”

There is however no clear mention of runes in this encounter. What we do know is that humans during this time made “teeth tattoos'”, which meant that they carved different lines on their teeth.

Illustration of Floki from the TV series "Vikings". Showing rune tattoos on the side of his head.

Another form of pop cultural expression takes its form in video games.
Recently a game called “Assassin's creed – Valhalla” launched (2020 AD). In this game you play as the viking hero Eivor, whose mission is to lead her/his clan of Norwegian vikings to the lands of the Anglo-Saxons. This game has the magical approach to runes. In the game you can find different gems with runes, and they will with their magical powers upgrade your armor and weapons.

Music has also been a way to modernise the runes and bring them into the spotlight again.
Remember the Icelandic rune poem? - The Icelandic rune poem is what makes out the lyrics to the band Heilung’s hit song “Norupo”. The Norupo song is the 15th century poem word for word, put into a rhythmic beat and song. In the music video they have also included elements of magic and some of the magical takes on runes from Iceland.

Wardruna is yet another band where runes take a central role in the music. They have songs inspired after the rune poems naming for each rune, such as the songs “Fehu” (ᚠ), “Tyr” (ᛏ), “Uruz” (ᚢ) and “Raido” (ᚱ) to name a few.

Social media and community
No one can deny the importance of social media today. It plays a huge role in spreading a sense of community, knowledge and curiosity when it comes to the runes.

A big part of the community online who dabbles with the runes are often very creative and many are different forms of crafters and creators. Just as this page focuses on design and jewellery, many crafters focus on a modernised way of spreading and creating - with help of the runes.

Be it woodcarvers, tattoo artists, photographers, makeup artists, illustrators, musicians, writers, or any other creative ambition – the “norse / history” community online does its part in keeping the runes alive in today's world. Historically accurate or not, it creates a new historical use for them for the future which is filled with creativity and positivity.

A quick mention of modern runestones.
The tradition of raising runestones might have ended somewhere during the early medieval era, doesn’t mean it remained so. There are a lot of examples all throughout Europe of modern runestones and replicas placed in various countries. This new way of raising runestones also plays a part in keeping this tradition alive. Thousands of years from now on, maybe these runes on these stones will tell the future of us and who we were.

An example of a modern runestone found in Sweden

An example of a modern runestone found in Estonia

An example of a modern runestone found in England

Knowledge and science - always in motion

This article was written in 2021 and updated in 2023, which means that all the information in this article might change. Questions we are one archaeological find away from getting answers to; can be just around the corner.

We will publish all the sources used for writing this article, some of which are in Swedish and not English. The goal with this article is to give a fair and informed image of what the runes are and how they have been and are being used. We have been transparent with what is known and what lacks when it comes to source material. All speculations and theories are explained as such, and it should be taken in consideration that these theories might not be the true facts.

I would like to thank all of you who have made it this far – Skål and thank you for your time.

Best wishes
– Elin aka MooseLady

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