THE ELDER FUTHARK
Rune meanings.
The 24 runes of the oldest runic alphabet, in their three ættir. Open a rune to read it in full.
Freyr’s ætt · Hagal’s ætt · Týr’s ætt
Freyr’s ætt
The first eight runes, traditionally linked with the god Freyr: wealth, strength, and everyday life.
Fehu ᚠ
Wealth · Resources · Value
Uruz ᚢ
Strength · Vitality · Endurance
Thurisaz ᚦ
Challenge · Protection · Thresholds
Ansuz ᚨ
Communication · Wisdom · Messages
Raidho ᚱ
Journey · Movement · Rhythm
Kenaz ᚲ
Insight · Knowledge · Creativity
Gebo ᚷ
Gift · Partnership · Exchange
Wunjo ᚹ
Joy · Harmony · Belonging
Hagal’s ætt
The second eight, named after Hagalaz (hail): disruption, need, and the forces we cannot control.
Hagalaz ᚺ
Disruption · Change · Transformation
Nauthiz ᚾ
Need · Constraint · Resilience
Isa ᛁ
Stillness · Pause · Clarity
Jera ᛃ
Harvest · Cycles · Patience
Eihwaz ᛇ
Endurance · Resilience · Change
Perthro ᛈ
Mystery · Chance · The unknown
Algiz ᛉ
Protection · Instinct · Boundaries
Sowilo ᛊ
Sun · Energy · Wholeness
Týr’s ætt
The last eight, named after the god Týr: justice, growth, community, and heritage.
Tiwaz ᛏ
Justice · Courage · Honour
Berkano ᛒ
Growth · Nurture · New beginnings
Ehwaz ᛖ
Partnership · Trust · Progress
Mannaz ᛗ
Humanity · Self · Community
Laguz ᛚ
Flow · Emotion · Intuition
Ingwaz ᛜ
Potential · Completion · Inner growth
Dagaz ᛞ
Breakthrough · Daylight · Clarity
Othala ᛟ
Heritage · Home · Belonging
How many runes are there?
The Elder Futhark has 24 runes in three groups of eight. Later alphabets changed the set: the Younger Futhark of the Viking Age had 16, and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc grew to about 33.
Are runes Norse or Germanic?
Both, broadly: the Elder Futhark was used across early Germanic-speaking peoples, from Scandinavia to the continent, before the Viking Age.
Try a free rune reading ↗ How to read runes ↗
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