Runes are one of the most fascinating legacies of Viking and Germanic culture. Far more than a simple writing system, runes were considered sacred symbols imbued with spiritual power. Used for communication, magic, and divination, they formed a direct link between the physical world and the realm of the Norse gods. In this guide, we explore the Viking runic alphabet and the meaning behind each of its 24 symbols.
The Futhark, the Runic Alphabet
The runic alphabet is called the Futhark, named after its first six letters: F, U, Th, A, R, and K. It is divided into three main versions: the Elder Futhark, the Younger Futhark, and the Anglo-Saxon Futhark. The Vikings primarily used the Elder Futhark, which contains 24 characters, and the Younger Futhark, a simplified 16-character version that became dominant during the Viking Age.
The 24 characters of the Elder Futhark are organized into three groups of eight called Aettir, each named after a Norse deity and carrying its own thematic energy.
Frey’s Aett: Wealth, Vitality and Communication
The first Aett is named after Frey and Freyja, the Norse god and goddess of fertility, beauty, and prosperity. The eight runes of this group are associated with the material and social aspects of life.
1) Fehu
 | Symbolizes: livestock Fehu represents abundance and the rewards of hard work. It is one of the most positive runes in the Futhark. |
2) Uruz
 | Symbolizes: the aurochs (wild buffalo) Uruz represents untamed energy and the courage to face challenges head on. |
3) Thurisaz
 | Symbolizes: Thor’s hammer Meaning: protection, defense and the power to repel enemies. Thurisaz is a rune of boundaries and resistance, connected to the protective force of Thor himself. |
4) Ansuz
 | Symbolizes: the spear of Odin Meaning: communication, wisdom, awareness and divine inspiration. Ansuz is closely linked to Odin, the god of knowledge and poetry. |
5) Raido
 | Symbolizes: the wheel Meaning: journey, movement, change and adventure. Raido represents both physical travel and inner transformation. |
6) Kenaz
 | Symbolizes: fire and the torch Meaning: clarity, understanding, enlightenment and creative energy. Kenaz is the rune of knowledge gained through experience. |
7) Gebo
 | Symbolizes: the gift Meaning: partnership, union, exchange and generosity. Gebo represents the sacred bond between two people or between a warrior and his gods. |
8) Wunjo
 | Symbolizes: victory and joy Meaning: happiness, harmony, success and fulfillment. Wunjo is the rune of well-being and the reward that comes after struggle. |
Hagal’s Aett: Challenges, Transformation and Hidden Forces
The second Aett is named after Hagal, associated with hail and the destructive forces of nature. The runes of this group deal with obstacles, hidden knowledge, and the transformative power of hardship.
9) Hagalaz
 | Symbolizes: hail Meaning: sudden disruption, upheaval and uncontrollable change. Hagalaz reminds us that some forces are beyond our control, and that transformation often begins with destruction. |
10) Naudiz
 | Symbolizes: an ordeal Meaning: necessity, constraint and the strength to overcome obstacles. Naudiz represents the trials that forge character and build resilience. |
11) Isa
 | Symbolizes: ice Meaning: stagnation, stillness and the need for patience. Isa is a rune of pause, suggesting that sometimes the best action is to wait and conserve energy. |
12) Jera
 | Symbolizes: the harvest and the cycle of seasons Meaning: patience, effort, cycles and natural rewards. Jera reminds us that good results require time and consistent effort. |
13) Eihwaz
 | Symbolizes: the yew tree Meaning: endurance, stability, balance and the connection between life and death. The yew was sacred in Norse culture as a symbol of both longevity and transformation. |
14) Perthro
 | Symbolizes: mystery and chance Meaning: fate, hidden knowledge and the unknown. Perthro is one of the most enigmatic runes, associated with secrets and the unpredictable nature of destiny. |
15) Algiz
 | Symbolizes: the elk and protection Meaning: defense, guardianship and spiritual protection. Algiz is a powerful protective rune, often used as a shield against negative forces. |
16) Sowilo
 | Symbolizes: the sun Meaning: vitality, health, radiance and victory. Sowilo represents the unstoppable power of the sun and the energy it brings to all living things. |
Tyr’s Aett: Courage, Growth and Inheritance
The third Aett is named after Tyr, the Norse god of justice, heaven, and victory. The runes of this group are associated with courage, human potential, and the legacy we leave behind.
17) Tiwaz
 | Symbolizes: the arrow of Tyr Meaning: courage, justice, determination and sacrifice. Tiwaz is the warrior’s rune, representing the willingness to fight for what is right regardless of personal cost. |
18) Berkanan
 | Symbolizes: the birch tree Meaning: fertility, growth, birth and new beginnings. Berkanan is a rune of nurturing energy and the cycles of life. |
19) Ehwaz
 | Symbolizes: the horse Meaning: movement, partnership, loyalty and progress. Ehwaz represents the bond between a warrior and his horse, and by extension all partnerships built on trust. |
20) Mannaz
 | Symbolizes: humanity Meaning: the self, consciousness, intelligence and the human condition. Mannaz encourages self-reflection and awareness of one’s place in the world. |
21) Laguz
 | Symbolizes: water and the reed Meaning: fluidity, intuition, growth and the power to adapt. Laguz represents the life-giving force of water and the ability to flow around obstacles. |
22) Ingwaz
 | Symbolizes: gestation and potential Meaning: inner development, maturity and the accumulation of energy before action. Ingwaz represents the quiet power that builds before a decisive moment. |
23) Dagaz
 | Symbolizes: daylight Meaning: breakthrough, awakening, spiritual illumination and transformation. Dagaz is the rune of dawn, representing the moment when darkness gives way to clarity. |
24) Othila
 | Symbolizes: the ancestral home Meaning: heritage, inheritance, roots and the wisdom passed down through generations. Othila connects us to our ancestors and the values they built. |
Viking Runes in Divination
Beyond their use as a writing system, runes were central to Viking divination practices. To read the runes, a practitioner would typically use a set of 24 rune stones made from wood or stone, casting them onto a cloth and interpreting those that landed face up based on their individual meanings and their positions relative to one another.
Rune readings were used to gain insight into future events, understand hidden aspects of a situation, or seek guidance from the Norse gods. Odin himself was said to have sacrificed himself on the World Tree Yggdrasil for nine days and nights in order to discover the secrets of the runes, a testament to their sacred power in Norse culture.
Runes on Viking Axes: A Living Tradition
Many of the hand-forged viking axes in our collection feature hand-engraved runic inscriptions, connecting each piece directly to this ancient tradition. Whether you choose a specific rune for its meaning or a full inscription in Elder Futhark, a runic engraving transforms your axe from a collector’s piece into a deeply personal symbol of Norse heritage.
Explore our full collection of authentic viking axes with personalized rune engravings, crafted by hand and shipped directly from the United States.