Runes are an ancient writing system used by Germanic peoples and the Vikings. They were not only a form of writing but also used for magical and divinatory purposes. In this article, we explore the different Viking runes and their meanings.
The Futhark, the Runic Alphabet
The runes are based on an alphabet called the Futhark, named after its first six letters: F, U, Þ, A, R, and K. The Futhark is divided into three groups: the Elder Futhark, the Younger Futhark, and the Anglo-Saxon Futhark. The Vikings mainly used the Elder and Younger Futhark.
Main Viking Runes and Their Meanings
The 24 characters of futhark can be separated into 3 families of 8 characters called “Aett”. Each aett carries the name of a deity.
Frey’s aett
Frey or Freyja is known in Norse mythology as the goddess of beauty and war.
 | 1) Fehu Symbolizes: livestock Interpretation: wealth, success, prosperity, luck |
 | 2) Uruz Symbolizes: the buffalo Interpretation: vitality, strength, conviction, physical and mental strength, power |
 | 3) Thurisaz Symbolizes: the hammer Interpretation: notion of retreat, defense, protection |
 | 4) Ansuz Symbolizes: spear Interpretation: communication, awareness, anchoring |
 | 5) Raido Symbolizes: Wheel Interpretation: journey, change, adventure |
 | 6) Kenaz Symbolizes: Fire Interpretation: openness, understanding, enlightenment |
 | 7) Gebo Symbolizes: association Interpretation: couple, union, meeting, relationship, sharing, exchange |
 | 8) Wunjo Symbolizes: Victory Interpretation: happiness, positivity, success |
L’aett de Hagel
 | 9) Hagalaz Symbolizes: hail, bad weather Interpretation: upheaval, disturbance, difficulties, sudden change, upheaval |
 | 10) Naudiz Symbolizes: an ordeal Interpretation: obstacle to overcome, event to pass, overcoming |
 | 11) Isa Symbolizes: Ice Interpretation: stagnation, immobility, inaction, retreat |
 | 12) Jera Symbolizes: seasons, causality Interpretation: patience, effort, time, cycles |
 | 13) Eihwaz Symbolizes: endurance, resistance Interpretation: stability, balance, diligence, doubt, duality |
 | 14) Perthro Symbolizes: mystery, chance Interpretation: fate, what is hidden, enigma, secret |
 | 15) Algiz Symbolizes: protection Interpretation: defense, guardian, retreat, refuge |
 | 16) Sowilo Symbolizes: energy Interpretation: health, stability, radiance |
The aett of Tyre
For the Germanic peoples, Tyre was the god of heaven, justice and victory.
 | 17) Tiwaz Symbolizes: arrow Interpretation: courage, bravery, determination |
 | 18) Berkanan Symbolizes: Fertility Interpretation: fulfillment, realization, procreation, fertility, birth, children |
 | 19) Ehwaz Symbolizes: Horse Interpretation: movement, moving, relocation |
 | 20) Mannaz Symbolizes: humanity, man Interpretation: spirit, consciousness |
 | 21) Laguz Symbolizes: the reed Interpretation: create, generate, materialize, grow |
 | 22) Ingwaz Symbolizes: gestation Interpretation: maturity, fateful point |
 | 23) Dagaz Symbolizes: Light Interpretation: spiritual fulfillment, illumination, dawn |
 | 24) Othila Symbolizes: heritage Interpretation: inheritance, material transmission |
Viking Runes in Divination
Runes were often used for divination, an art aimed at gaining insight into the future or hidden aspects of a situation. To practice rune divination, one typically uses a set of runes made from stone or wood, cast onto a cloth or flat surface. The runes that land face up are interpreted based on their meaning and their positions relative to one another.