The Elder Futhark is the oldest form of the runic alphabets, used by Germanic tribes in the 2nd to 8th centuries. Each rune not only represents a sound but also has a symbolic meaning. Here are the meanings of all 24 runes in the Elder Futhark.The oldest known runic inscription dates to the Roman Iron Age, c. 1 – 250 CE, and is found on the Svingerud Runestone found in Ringerike, Norway:
ᚠ (Fehu – Feh-hoo) Represents wealth, abundance, and material success. It is often associated with prosperity and financial strength. This rune symbolizes ‘cattle,’ which held great importance in the lives of agricultural communities. Cattle were a vital asset and a cornerstone of the economy for groups of people who were initially unfamiliar with the use of money. This rune represents acquired possessions and wealth, reflecting the material gains earned through one’s efforts.
ᚢ (Uruz – Ooor-rooz) Symbolizes strength, health, and wild, untamed energy. It can also represent a challenge or a test. This rune symbolizes the aurochs, majestic wild cattle that once roamed northern Europe and are now extinct. These creatures possessed incredible strength, speed, and a fierce nature. The aurochs came to symbolize not only great physical power and swiftness but also represented the challenge they posed to hunters, signifying human prowess and determination.
ᚦ (Thurisaz – Thoor-eee-saz) This rune stands for protection and defense. It symbolizes the thorn, a powerful tool against adversaries, but also warns of potential danger. This rune carries a disputed meaning but is generally associated with unpleasant concepts. It has been linked to giants, trolls, and demons, and the connection to the ‘thorn’ in the ASRP (Anglo-Saxon Runic Poem) cannot be dismissed. This rune, known as the troll-rune, plays a crucial role in the Norse poem ‘For Scirnis’ or ‘Skirnir’s Ride.’ When used in a sequence of three, it has the power to alter the meanings of subsequent runes. According to legend, its use could summon demons from the underworld and is sometimes referred to as ‘Hrungnir’s heart,’ inspired by Snorri Sturluson’s account of Thor’s battle with the giant Hrungnir. Hrungnir’s heart was said to resemble this runic character, characterized by its sharp edges and three-cornered shape, a similarity confirmed by its appearance on the Skane bracteate 1.
ᚨ (Ansuz – Awn-zooz) Associated with communication, wisdom, and the god Odin. It represents divine messages and inspiration. This rune signifies a god or deity, particularly one of the Æsir, with Odin often recognized as their leader. Over time, Odin also became associated with the role of a wind deity and the leader of the Wild Hunt, guiding disembodied and damned souls through the skies on storm clouds. The hanged were considered sacred to him due to his legendary ordeal of hanging upon Yggdrasil to attain the runes. Occasionally, there were instances of sacrifice by hanging in reverence to Odin.
ᚱ (Raidho – Rye-d-ho) Symbolizes travel, both physical and life journeys. It’s about movement, change, and personal growth. This rune encompasses a range of meanings, including journey, cartwheel, ride, and the concept of a long journey on horseback, cart, or chariot. It likely served as a charm for safe journeys, both for the living and the deceased. Additionally, there are reasons to associate this rune with the god Thor. In Old Norse, ‘reid’ could refer to either a wheeled vehicle or thunder. Thunder was believed to be caused by Thor’s chariot, drawn by two he-goats, rumbling across the sky.
ᚲ (Kenaz – Keh-nawz) Represents knowledge, enlightenment, and a quest for truth. It’s a rune of illumination and understanding. This rune presents a somewhat elusive interpretation across the ages, with several suggested meanings. These include torch, light, and the notion of a torch known to all, characterized by its pale and radiant flame. It is often said to burn consistently where princes gather and sit within its glow.
ᚷ (Gebo – Geh-boh) Symbolizes gifts and generosity. It represents balance in relationships and the importance of reciprocity. This rune is associated with the concept of a gift, although the exact nature of the gift remains open to interpretation. It could represent the act of humans offering sacrifices to the gods, or conversely, the benevolence of the gods bestowing gifts upon humanity. When seen as humans giving to the gods, it suggests a religious ritual, with religion itself being seen as a gift from the divine to humankind. Furthermore, this rune was believed to provide protection against poisoned cups. It may have played a role in the sequence of runes that Egil Skallagrimsson scored during Bard’s feast when he faced the danger of a poisoned cup offered by Gunnhild.
ᚹ(Wunjo – Woon-yo) This rune is associated with joy, pleasure, and harmony. It represents well-being and success in endeavors. This rune signifies bliss, comfort, and even glory. While it could be interpreted as representing the support of tangible possessions, its primary connotation is the absence of suffering. From a linguistic perspective, it aligns well with the Germanic words ‘wulthuz,’ meaning glory, and ‘winjo,’ signifying pasture, both of which reinforce its core meaning. Additionally, ‘wulthuz’ may support an association with the Norse god Ull.
ᚺ (Hagalaz – Hawg-ah-laz) Represents disruptive natural forces, like a hailstorm. It symbolizes chaos, destruction, and uncontrolled forces, but also the potential for transformation through challenges. This rune symbolizes ‘hail,’ encompassing its manifestations both as a meteorological phenomenon and as a barrage of projectiles in battle. In both contexts, it carries connotations of destructive and disorderly forces. Hail, whether in weather or warfare, represents a force that isn’t entirely under individual control. The ‘Icelandic Rune Poem’ specifically associates this rune with the weather aspect of hail, describing it as ‘cold grain, and a “shower of sleet,” further illustrating its association with the harshness of winter through the poetic simile “sickness of serpents.”
ᚾ(Nauthiz – Now-theez) Symbolizes need, desire, and distress. It speaks to overcoming hardships and developing resilience. This rune carries the meanings of need, constraint, even in extreme misery. Some experts interpret it as a rune associated with fate, drawing parallels to the Nornir or Fates in Norse mythology. It was believed to possess the power to offer assistance when scratched upon a fingernail, giving it a dual significance oscillating between providing help and the necessity for survival.
ᛁ (Isa – Eee-sah) Represents ice, and thus stillness and stagnation. It symbolizes a period of non-action and the need for patience. This rune represents ice, an inherently destructive force of nature akin to hail. In the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem, ice is described as intensely cold and slippery, akin to a glassy floor, yet possessing a captivating beauty. This association may have contributed to its linkage with the Norse goddess Skaði or Skathi in some interpretations. In certain versions of the story of Odin’s courtship of Rind, ice is seen as the power he harnessed to bind his enchanted bride-to-be. If this interpretation holds, it suggests that this rune may enhance the potency of runic spells, reinforcing their strength.
ᛃ (Jera – Yair-ah) Symbolizes harvest, rewards, and cycles. It represents the fruition of plans and efforts, and the natural cycle of the year. This rune has various interpretations, including ‘year,’ ‘spear,’ ‘harvest,’ ‘year of plenty,’ and ‘year of good harvest.’ Both the ‘Norwegian Rune Poem’ and the ‘Icelandic Rune Poem’ favor the meaning ‘Plenty.’ The ‘Norwegian Rune Poem’ even notes that the peace-loving Danish king Frothi was known for his generosity, further reinforcing the association of this rune with prosperity.
ᛇ (Eihwaz – Ay-waz) Associated with the yew tree, it symbolizes endurance, stability, and the link between life and death. This rune signifies ‘yew,’ a wood that holds sacred significance in runecraft and is commonly used for crafting bows. The hunting god Ull is associated with this rune, as he built his hall in Ydalir, also known as Yewdale, and the bow was considered his sacred weapon.
ᛈ (Perthro – Pear-throw) This rune’s meaning is a bit mysterious; it’s often associated with fate, destiny, and the unknown. It symbolizes things that are yet to be revealed. The meaning of this rune remains one of the greatest mysteries in the futhark. Some scholars have explored a potential connection between the rune-name and the Slavonic word ‘pizda,’ which means ‘vulva.’ This interpretation would make the rune sacred to Frigg, the mother figure of the gods, and establish a direct parallel with the essentially male fertility implied by the later rune Inguz. Additionally, Pertho has been speculated to symbolize the magical powers of the earth, possibly stemming from a hypothetical derivation from the Latin word ‘petra,’ meaning ‘rock.
ᛉ (Algiz – Al-geez) Represents protection and defense. It’s a rune of guardianship and a call to stand your ground. This rune conveys the notions of defense and protection, potentially taking the form of an amulet or a temple sanctuary. Some scholars have suggested a connection with the enigmatic rune word ‘alu.’ Additionally, its meaning has been associated with the elk, as mentioned in a tale where the elk sleeps upright against a tree to evade hunters more effectively. In this context, the rune becomes a symbol of preservation in the face of adversity.
ᛋ (Sowilo – So-wee-lo) Symbolizes the sun, success, and victory. It represents guidance, hope, and the power of positivity. This rune symbolizes the sun, a celestial body upon which all life depends and a central object of ancient worship. Among the Germanic people, both the sun and the moon held revered positions, influencing daily life by governing the seasons and tides. In the ‘Norwegian Rune Poem,’ this rune is described as the ‘light of the world,’ emphasizing its vital role in the cosmos and human existence.
ᛏ (Tiwaz – Tee-waz) Associated with the god Tyr, this rune symbolizes justice, sacrifice, and balance in conflict. This is the rune of Tyr, God of war, giver of victory and protector from harm. Amuletic use of this rune was widespread, even in the earlier centuries of runecraft. This rune is also known as the geir’s-odd or spear-rune. According to tradition, an aging warrior would carve this symbol into his own flesh, symbolizing his readiness to enter Valhalla, rather than experiencing a ‘straw-death in bed’ of old age.
ᛒ (Berkano – Bear-kano) Represents birth, renewal, and regeneration. It’s a rune of new beginnings and growth. The birch tree held a sacred status and was linked to spring fertility rituals. Iðunn, considered the Goddess of spring, embodied the youthful, vital, and beautiful aspects that symbolized the rebirth of vegetation during the season. She was also the guardian of apples that granted the gods eternal and rejuvenating youth, mirroring the perpetual vitality associated with spring.
ᛖ (Ehwaz – Ay-waz) Symbolizes partnership, trust, and cooperation. It represents harmony between partners, whether in business or personal relationships. This rune is associated with the horse, a creature revered since ancient times. The relationship between a horse and its rider is built on trust and cooperation. Horses have long been the favored animals of folkloric archetypes, such as the solar hero. The solar hero typically bridges the earthly and heavenly realms, representing both the ordinary and the spiritual dimensions. In addition to its symbolic value, this rune may carry the virtue of certainty, mirroring the unwavering confidence that accompanies the feats of the invulnerable hero, often carried along by the sacred solar horse.
ᛗ (Mannaz – Mawn-awz) Represents humanity and the self. It’s about individual talent, intelligence, and the human condition. This rune symbolizes man, representing either the individual or the entire human race. It was believed to possess protective and defensive powers. The Icelandic Rune Poem maintains a consistently positive perspective by portraying man as the growth of the earth and the embellishment of ships.
ᛚ (Laguz – Lah-gooz) Associated with water, this rune symbolizes flow, intuition, and the subconscious mind. This rune symbolizes water, possibly as a source of fertility. Some authorities suggest that the name might have been a later replacement and prefer to interpret it as ‘leek’ or ‘herb,’ drawing associations with pagan phallic practices due to the shape of the leek. However, the interpretation of water is well-established, and the rune is linked to the Vanir God Njord. Njord was considered a prosperous deity associated with the sea, and the marine sponge was known as ‘Njord’s glove.’ Gulls and seals held sacred significance in relation to him.
ᛝ (Ingwaz – Ing-ooz) Symbolizes potential, male fertility, and internal growth. It’s a rune of stored energy and gestation. This rune is linked to the deity Frey, also known as the hero Ing. It is a symbol of fertility, and because Frey has been depicted with phallic symbolism, it may directly represent the male generative organ, serving as a counterpart to the female rune Pertho.
ᛞ (Dagaz – Dah-gaz) Represents daylight or dawn. It symbolizes awakening, clarity, and transformation. It’s a rune of hope and balance between opposites. This rune represents ‘day,’ symbolizing the security and illumination of daylight in contrast to the inconvenience, and sometimes fear, associated with night. Daytime provides the advantage of clear visibility, enabling one to identify and counteract potential adversaries and facilitating productive work.
ᛟ (Othala – Oh-tha-la) Represents heritage, inheritance, and ancestral property. It’s about home, legacy, and what we inherit from our forebears, both materially and spiritually. This rune signifies ‘inheritance’ in a broad sense, encompassing anything of value that can be passed down or handed over, including knowledge. It can also refer to the ancestral home and, by extension, the native land.
Each rune has a complex set of meanings and interpretations, often varying based on context and the perspective of the interpreter.