Derived by Nordic and Germanic tribes, Norse Runes were woven into Norse religion and magic. Each rune is more than a sound or a letter, but a representation of a cosmological principle or power. In Norse mythology, each rune served as a means to invoke the force it stands for. Though it has its roots in Norse myth as a discovery by Odin, the runes were developed in the first century AD. This ancient writing system was used mainly in northern, western and central Europe.
The runic alphabet is called the ‘futhark’ and is divided into two types: younger and elder Futhark. The elder Futhark consists of 24 characters and was used from approximately 100 to 800 AD. The younger Futhark consists of 16 characters and was used between 800 to 1100 AD approximately. However, in remote parts of Sweden such as Älvdale, runes lived on as a mode of communication until the early 20th century.
Each runic power represents both a letter and a power and these can be combined together to form words. It can be read from either right to left or left to right. Each letter is not written, but rather it is carved. They were also used as magic symbols, and runic magic was used for fortune-telling, protection, spellcasting, and various other ways. Runes have been found carved on weapons, tools, jewelry, memorial stones and a variety of other surfaces, demonstrating its reach and power.
Norse Runes Symbols - Norse Runes Symbols Meanings
Raidho
Raidho is a rune of movement, it is representative of the human path. It is the idea of leading by examples, and the power of actions. Rather than focusing on the stops, Raidho is about the importance of life’s journey as a whole. It is also a reminder of the role of fate and respecting influences that may not be understood or reached in the face of events outside of control.
Tiwaz
The rune of the warrior, Tiwaz is named after the god Tyr. The god of justice and law, this rune is a representation of honor, righteousness, and warrior. It is trust in the path that has been chosen, that is the one true path towards greatness. In Norse mythology, Tyr sacrifices his hand to chain the wolf Fenris. This rune is the symbol of self-sacrifice to do the right thing and to be just and good.
Wunjo
A positive rune, Wunjo is the signifier of happy times. It is a success in romance, in new partnerships, and new beginnings filled with joy. However, this happiness comes to those who work for it. Wunjo is a representation of close companionship with others, rather than a solitary experience. It signifies happiness and satisfaction in all aspects, and a reminder to put out joyful energy in the universe in order to receive it yourself.
Uruz
Uruz is the rune of progression. As the rune of the ox, it is a symbol of untamed strength and force, and it signals a time of growth. Its meaning lies in the idea of outgrowing current habits and starting a new path. Instead of continuing with the current life and patterns, it is an invitation to a new passage, towards growth. Uruz signifies self-control, growth, and ascension to new changes with determination and persistence. In the context of romance, it signifies passion, harmony, and raw energy.
Thurisaz
Thurisaz is a protective rune, it is the warning of temptation and adversity. It represents potential threats from enemies and forces. Thurisaz also warned to avoid dishonesty and trickery in trying to accomplish something and to remain cautious. Thurisaz is seen as unfavorable when extracted since it symbolizes brutal power. It is seen as a representation of destructive forces and a time of conflict and battle.
Sowilo
The extreme power of the sun, Sowilo can also be symbolized as a wheel. It is the symbol of energy and life, as well as fertility. Sowilo is positive energy, but also a reminder that even after achieving success, movement is crucial. Rather than stopping after accomplishments, the movement itself spurs individuals on to continue to achieve great things. It is the recognition of victory, and continuing pursuits to be victorious.
Pertho
The shape of the rune Pertho is translated as a vessel, something that can be filled. It can also represent fertility, mystery, and chance. The rune Pertho is an indication of powerful forces, such as Fate at work, and may have some order to them. It is arguably the most mysterious rune, with its definition and representation under debate. However, it is commonly agreed that its meaning is unclear due to concepts of randomness and coincidence. Pertho is also a rune of chance.
Othala
Othala is the rune of ancient clan lands, it is a representation of property and land that is strongly connected to an individual. As it is the last rune if read in sequences, it is seen as an achievement at the end of the journey of runes. These ancestral lands and properties are a result of success, hard work in both physical and spiritual realms. It is a representation of everything that previous generations have earned, and its continuing reward for the individual. Othala is a symbol of permanent generational wealth.
Naudhiz
Naudhiz is a representation of the imbalance of needs and a reminder to focus on long-term benefits. Naudhiz is an encouragement to overlook the small difficulties, to remain patient and to work hard towards achieving long-term benefits. It can be viewed as negative, as a harbinger of poverty in literal terms. This is because it represents a need to have, even if it is not necessary. It is a representation of the materiality of possessions, and their little worth in making an individual happy.
Mannaz
Mannaz represents humanity and humankind, and the determination to reach a common goal together. But it can also be interpreted on an individual scale. For an individual, Mannaz represents family and friends, the circles and bonds that unite. It refers to the community around a person, and the communal perception of the individual in question. Mannaz is the ability to predict and analyze, to understand what the challenges are in a situation and to strive towards fixing these issues.
Laguz
Deeply connected to the water element, Laguz is the representation of endless possibility and spiritual connection. Laguz is the rune of love, water, and travel. It depicts the nourishment of water, and the deep possibilities that lay beneath the ocean. But the Laguz is also a symbol of insecurity and fear against the opposition, like the wild force of the sea. The ocean is seen as a complex entity in Norse mythology and is both promise and fear. This rune represents this complexity and a reminder of human insignificance against large forces.
Kaunan
Kaunan is also known as Kenaz, it is literally translated as the torch. This is the rune of the night, of inspiration. Kaunan represents knowledge and intellect, and the quest to seek these. Powerful for meditation and contemplation, this rune is for those that seek knowledge. It represents the active feminine energy of fire. It symbolizes the act of control and harnessing fire for warmth and brightness.
Jera
Jera is the sign of winter ending, and harvest beginning. It is the rune of patience and movement. The harvest brings about subtle changes, but it is a sign of good tidings. Jera can be translated in two ways, year and harvest. It represents the reward of good fortune after hard work and it serves as a reminder of the idea, ‘you reap what you sow.
Isa
Literally seen as ice, Isa represents stillness and stagnation. When ice covers the land, everything becomes immobile. It might seem as though there is complete stillness, but there is growth. Underneath the ice, there is preparation for a new life. A representative of feminine principles in Norse philosophy, this is seen as a creative force.
Ingwaz
Named after the Norse god Ing, who united the Viking and Jutland people. Ingwaz represents unity, harmony, as well as undying romantic love. A safe home and safe heart is its main representation. Ingwaz is also the rune of sexuality, as it means seed in its most literal form, and the joining of two forces to create a third force.
Hagalaz
Representing transformation and destruction, Hagalaz is the change from water to hail, and water again. The destruction and change lead to rebirth, resilience and a new way of being. It is a reminder of the destructive forces where there may be no control, but the disruption leads to new beginnings. Hagalaz serves as a representation of a confrontation with past patterns, and to objectively understand these past patterns to forge a new beginning.
Gebo
A symbol of partnership, Gebo symbolizes partnership and a balance between giving and receiving. Gebo predicts good fortune and discovers a gift that can come in many ways, whether material or emotional. The gift you receive is with the expectation that you will do something in return, and it represents reciprocity and the strengthening of relationships in this way. Gebo also serves as a symbol of the connection between humans and the gods.
Fehu
Fehu represents nourishment, of enjoying successes and the more simple comforts of life, reaping the rewards and comfort that hard work provides. Fehu is a celebration of prosperity and joy. Though Fehu literal translation is the ownership of cattle as a measurement of success, the underlying message of sustenance and comfort remains.
Eiwaz
A symbol of extremes, Eiwaz is about dualities. The yew is a tree that dies and transforms itself, representing two extremes. Eiwaz is about forming new perspectives after upheavals and questioning, to see death as an ending and a new beginning. It brings about enlightenment and shows you a path towards knowledge and wisdom.
Ehwaz
Ehwaz represents two horses. Horses play a pivotal role, both as a mode of transport and as a measure of social standing. Ehwaz represents movement and accepting the growth that comes to a person. It is a means of reflection and growth, accepting changes with grace and forging forward. It encompasses energy, force, and movement – and like horses, this must be tended to and managed for it to reach its full potential.
Dagaz
Connected to the daylight and inner self, Dagaz is about illumination and understanding, the sun breaking through barriers. It is night becoming day and symbolizes the end of trials and tribulations. Dagaz represents fulfillment at the end of a path and is the rune of an awakening. Its shape also depicts the balance between negative and positive energy and the balance between light and darkness.
Berkanan
Symbolizing a new beginning, the Berkanan is a representation of a birch tree. As that is the first tree to grow after ice melts, the Berkanan is meant to show the connection to Mother Earth and new beginnings. It is considered the mother rune that carries all humans. It is also the rune of maternity and motherhood. It represents the power of dependency, unconditional love, and trust.
Ansuz
Commonly interpreted as a god, and Odin more specifically. Ansuz refers to divine inheritance and the connection to the old gods. The Ansuz rune is for divine wisdom and power to flow into the human world from the old gods. It is linked to speech and mouth such as the power of persuasion, creativity, and communication.
Algiz
Literally translated as the elk, Algiz refers to the four elks that feed off the Yggdrasil (The World Tree) in Norse mythology. Rune that links divine consciousness, high spiritual awareness and protection. Algiz is also viewed as a human with an upraised arm, as a representation of receiving protection from the Universe, and depending on its guidance.
Norse Runes Font
The Viking Norse font is based on the original Nordic Runes; every letter has been designed in a rhombus shape, which reminds the typical stone inscriptions of the ancient Scandinavian norse population.
The Viking Norse font comes together with a family of 36 symbols from Norse symbolism and 24 symbols from Viking Runes.
