This shape, as weĪs we have already mentioned, was used to engrave the words on stone, metal or wood, The runes adopted their characteristic angular shape. In the Latin alphabet, and it is thanks to this that the runes took their characteristic In fact, it is believed that its roots could be (on which the Viking rune tattoos are based), has its origin in the 1st century of our era. This alphabet is composed of a total of twenty-four runes and each of them has a symbolic meaning as well as a value as a graphic and linguistic character. Originally, the runes were carved on small pieces of stone, metal and wood, as these inscriptions are composed of clean lines and easy to trace. It represented a wonderful source of power, brilliance, energy, and inspiration.Viking rune tattoos are inspired by the ancient futhark, one of the many varieties of runic alphabets that have existed throughout history. This rune letter was the Sun Rune. While Jera indicated a reward, Sowilo referred to a lifelong reward and success. Sowilo could be pronounced as 'So-ii-Lo'. Algiz was also the source of spiritual strength that could keep our mind away from the pressure and strain that we suffered daily. This Algiz letter was also believed to be the spikes in the Aegishjalmur symbol of the Vikings. As the Aegishjalmur was the symbol of protection and strength, the protective power of Algiz was reasonable. The appearance of this rune letter indicated the looming danger and a need to guard. In the past, it was the shield against the evil power and the enemies in battles. This rune letter was about defense and protection. The common pronunciation of Algiz was 'Al-jiz'. Many people, however, still believed this rune letter revolved around the fates and possibility in the future. This Perthro rune was one of the most controversial letters in the alphabet. The appearance of Eihwaz indicated the strength to overcome them all, planning for the target and reaching it. Either it was youth or adulthood, we must face the changes as they were part of the growing-up process. There must be phases that were the crucial changes in our life. In the modern sense, this rune letter was regarded as the rewards for hardships or series of hardships that one had endured. Everything was happening as it should and it was time to enjoy the fruits of our efforts.Įihwaz 'Eih-Was' was the rune of strength, trustworthiness, reliability, and dependability. The symbol might have presented two scythes for the harvest. Most of the times, this rune meant a good harvest. We can pronounce this rune letter as 'Yehr-ah'. Good things would happen in the end and Isa reminded us to keep calm and wait for the end. It was also the time for us to stop, look around, and further assess the whole situation or the path we were leading. This straight line Isa indicated the time we should spend resting and preparing for our upcoming actions. Ice was one of the most important elements in Norse myth as it played a part in creating the cosmos (See Creation of Norse World). This Isa was the simplest letter in the rune alphabet. Isa or 'Iss-ah' was the rune of ice and stillness. Nauthiz was also the movement of retraining, relearning, and planning for future actions in order to get what one was yearning for. Nauthiz was the rune of wanting, innovation, the willpower to overcome any troubles. This rune letter indicated the necessity. Nauthiz had the pronunciation like 'Not-This'. That is to say, what existed at the moment could be destroyed for the better change in the future. But when the destruction came from Hagalaz, it was always followed by the rebirth. Prior to that farewell, we must face the destruction of emotional blocks, ties of the past, etc. However, positively, this Hagalaz wanted us to let go of the past, let go of what was no longer necessary in our life. The meaning of this word revolved around the destruction or crisis. This rune letter can be pronounced 'Hag-all-az'. Those are Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Perthro, Algiz, and Sowilo. In this blog post, we are taking a look at 8 rune letters in the middle of the runic alphabet.

There are still 16 more rune letters for us to discover their meanings. In the Rune Meanings Part 1, we have discussed the meanings of the first eight rune letters in the Elder Futhark.

Runes meanings