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The Anglosaxon futhark   The Germanic futhark   The Medieval futhark   The Nordic futhark

The Germanic futhark

The 24-typed Germanic rune row is the oldest we know and it was used before the Viking Age for magic and counting (calendars etc.) The Germanic Futhark originally had Uruz as the first rune, but it later changed to the rune Fehu. By that time people had started to use runes for more ordinary purposes. This futhark has been made more simpler with less runes becoming the Nordic Futhark with only 16 runes. The Germanic rune row is splitted in three aetts, groups of eight, called Frey's, Hagal's and Tyr's Aett. The name futhark comes from the first six runes.

Frey's Aett:
Hagal's Aett:
Tyr's Aett:

Ansuza Ansuz is the aesirs' rune and stands for wisdom, knowledge and communication through the spoken and written word. Good advices Evil communication Aesirs Aesirgoddesses
AlgizR Algiz means elk and is a strong protectionrune. The runes appearance symbolizes an outstretched arm or elk hornes. Your inner will lead you right You can be used
Biorkb Biorkrune is a female rune which symbolizes birth, health care and healing. The shape could be associated to a pregnant woman. Birth or marriage Relation conflict
Dagazd Dagaz is dawn and the morningdays rune. It symbolizes new opportunities in all domains and that you can't always can master your own life. The shape is a shaftless doubleaxe.
Ehwaze Ehwaz symbolizes horse and removal and it represents Odin's eightlegged horse Sleipnir. The shape reminds of a horse with long legs. Positive trip Avoid trips Sleipnir
Eihwazé Eihwaz means yewtree, the tree used for making bows and carve runes in. Eihwaz is also a death rune and yewtree was often planted on graves. God protection. Radical solutions
Fehuf The first rune in the Germanic rune row, Fehu, symbolizes cattle, wealth and self-fulfilling. It warns us not to see to materialistic on our lives. Wealth Warning
Gifug Gifu means gift. The gift could be of different kinds, a present, a good day or to let somebody else win. Gifu also means fence, protecting the house. Positive events
Hagalh Hagal is the hail and the unexpected events symbol. The rune means that these changes are necessary to life. The second rune aett is named Hagal's Aett. Unexpected Events
Ingwazng The very positive rune Ingwaz tells that something old is fullfilled and something new starts. Ingwaz have strong connections to the fertilitygod Frey. Fullfill your projects Frey
Isazi Isaz symbolizes ice, death, delay and stagnation. The shape is from a stick with a name of the buried people on his grave. Don't do anything too hasty. Need of self-knowledge
Jeraj The year-rune Jera symbolizes the nature. What you plant in earth is what grows up. The shape is two scythes. Jera is connected to the fertilitygods. Wariness Frey Freya
Kenazk Kenaz symbolizes wounds and openings, but also torches and ritual fires. Kenaz is close to the fire god and guardian Heimdall. Spiritual knowledge Negative fires Heimdall
Lagazl Lagaz symbolizes water and travelings by the water, but also travelings of the mind. Lagaz helps to get subconscious solutions. Trustable intuition Missleading intuition
Mannazm Mannaz is the rune of the humans. It's connected to people's unity and dependancy on eachother. The shape is a hugging couple. Good relations Being selfisch Humans
Naudizn Naudiz is a symbol for destiny and the fates. The shape could be a crucifying pole. The rune means it's no reason yelling about the pre decided past. Destiny Skuld Urd Verdandi
Othalao Othala means inherited land and symbolizes the native country, traditions and inheritance. The shape have a family's farm as content. Family in wealth Quarrels in the family
Perdhrap Perdhra means earth or stone, but it also symbolizes different kinds of light. Perdhra means that the human like jewels have to be refined. Unexpected gift Secrets revealed
Raidhor Raidho means ride, wagon, wheel and wilde movings forward. The travelings could be both geographic on the earth or in one's mind. A trip A trip caused by negative things
Sigils Sigil is a victory rune that also means sun and lightning. Before Sigil they used a wheel or a swastika. With Gifu, Dagaz, Ingwaz; Health With Hagal, Biork, Naudiz; Stress Sun
Thurisazth Thurisaz means giant and symbolizes that both good and evil is needed. The rune is also connected with Thor and his Mjollnir. Godprotection Warning Giants Mjollnir Thor
Tiwazt Tyr's rune is a sign of braveness, victory, trust and truth. The strong war rune was carved into spears and swords. Truth combat gives victory Inadequate braveness Tyr
Uruzu Uruz symbolizes bulls and power; untamed male energy. The shape comes from two bull hornes. Uruz negative part is resistance against development. Changes Be creative
Wunjaw Wunja symbolizes happiness and lifelust, but also pasture. The shape could be a tree with an apple in the top. Happy future Bad experiences and deteriorate relations Breidablik

= Turned right way when you read runes.
= Upsidedown when you read runes.

See also:
Articles: Interview with a runecarver
Magic: Creating your own runes
Magic: How to use your runes
Viking: Runestones


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