During the Viking era, the Norsemen used these runic symbols. The word 'rune' in German means 'letter' and 'secret.' And that is precisely why it is believed that its original meaning was - 'a silent message.' The earliest runic inscriptions discovered date from around 150 AD. For this reason, the runes had a sharp, angular shape. According to tradition, runes were carved on hard natural materials such as stone, wood, or metal. Therefore, writing a runic letter meant invoking the power that the written rune symbolized.

Each rune was a symbol of some cosmic force. However, the meanings of the Elder Futhark runes were much deeper than that of the letters we know today. Runes had the function of letters and were used for writing in several Germanic languages. Elder Futhark runes have an important place in Norse mythology as well. The mother runes of each of the three aettir are Fehu, Hagalaz, and Tiwaz – and the names of each aett are derived from these runes.The runic alphabets were the first written signs created by the Germanic people and used later by Norseman back in the day. The 24 Elder Futhark runes are organized into three families of eight runes called aettir (singular aett). The deeper lesson and meaning of the rune and how you interpret it.The literal translation of the rune: what it represents and the sound it makes.I encourage you to go further with your studies and consider your own impressions as you get to know each of the rune symbols. The interpretations below are only one small facet of these multi-layered symbols, drawn from my own research and experience. Runes continue to be a source of guidance and knowledge, just as they were thousands of years ago, and their mysterious power is still as relevant today as it was then. These symbols are incredibly meaningful, as they are open to interpretation depending on the reader’s personal experiences and understanding. Runes have been used for centuries to bring insight into the past and the future, as they are connected to universal energies that remain the same, even as time passes. Dated to around 400 AD, this runestone is a time capsule of sorts, but without any written records, it is impossible to know exactly when it was made.Įach of the 24 Elder Futhark runes is imbued with a powerful secret, which can be unlocked through careful study and meditation. The oldest known record of their use was found at a Viking settlement close to Tängelgårda, Sweden. These ancient Norse symbols have been discovered in distant places like Iran, Turkey, England, and India. The earliest known runes were carved into wood, bone, and stone, then painted with a variety of pigments to make them stand out. Each rune has its own unique meaning and can be used to create powerful messages of guidance, protection and transformation. It consists of 24 symbols and was used by the ancient Germanic and Nordic tribes. Of all the different types of runes, the Elder Futhark is the oldest and most widely used. To someone with no knowledge of runes, the transmission of a message through symbols scratched on a piece of wood must have seemed unimaginable. This thinking could have stemmed from the fact that writing itself was often seen as a form of magic by cultures that didn’t have their own writing systems. The term rune comes from the Old Norse word meaning ‘secret letter’, and it’s believed that they were used to cast spells. They are believed to contain a deeper, hidden meaning that transcends the traditional meanings of the words they form. Runes are mysterious symbols that have held a special, sacred significance for centuries.

Fehu elder futhark runes