If you have been excited about the writing systems of humankind, we are here to take you on a great journey. Today, we are sharing details about Elder Futhark Runes. 

Elder Futhark Runes – Introduction

All the advancements and improvements that we are making in today’s era are the result of our ancestors’ hard work and efforts. Imagine if you were living in an era where we had no writing system. Life would have been a disaster. When we discuss a writing system, we’ll have to bow our heads to Elder Futhark Runes. This Elder Futhark is the oldest writing system that dates to the 2nd CE. 

Before we attempt to understand the writing system, we must know about Runes. Runes or Runic alphabets are the scripts that German people used in the 2nd CE to communicate. The alphabets were also famous across the British Isles and some parts of Europe. Runes wasn’t just the earliest attempt of the writing system. It was connected with the beliefs and culture of the people using the system.

There were different symbols in the runic alphabet. But each runic symbol was also a representation of the Germanic people. A symbol had symbolic meaning to the people since it connected with their mythology, nature, and everyday life. Germanic people used to carve the runes into wood, stones,  and metal for magical purposes and memorials. Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc are the most well-known runic alphabets of that era. 

Elder Futhark Runes – The Origin

Since we have an idea about the Futhark Runes, let’s see how Futhark runes came into existence. The exact detail of the origin of Elder Futhark remains a mystery since it was centuries ago. However, experts believe that the writing system started as a cultural exchange between the Germanic people and the Roman Empire. Let’s see its history. 

Historical Context and Development

Before the invention of the Elder Futhark Runes, the Germanic people were under the influence of many writing systems. Most of those writing systems were derived from the Latin alphabet. Others were influenced when the Germanic people came in contact with the Roman Empire. There are traces of the Etruscan alphabet in the Germanic culture as well. We must mention here that the Etruscan alphabet was heavily used in Northern Italy. 

Now, back to the Elder Futhark Runes. This writing system has 24 runes. If we talk about Norse runes meanings, runes are the scripts that Germanic people used in the 2nd Century. Elder Futhark consists of 24 runes. These 24 runes were connected with the people through their ideology, myths, and beliefs. Further, each of the runes had a different sound and name.

There are eight groups of runes in the Elder Futhark, each consisting of three rune meanings symbols. The name Furthark is also a combination of the first six letters of this writing system’s sequence which are Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, and Kenaz.

Elder Futhark Runes- Cultural Significance. 

Unlike other systems, this elder futhar system meant so much more to the Germanic people. This system had deep connections to the Germanic culture. Along with the culture, the writing system also was connected with the spiritual beliefs of the people. Thus, you can already expect the system to thrive and flourish. We mentioned earlier that there were 24 runes in the writing system.

Each of those runes had a different significance for the Germanic tribe. People believed that each rune was connected with a different deity and also had magical powers. If we could take an example from the Futhark runes, we can share a minor detail of the Fehu rune. 

The Fehu rune was the symbol of wealth and prosperity in the Germanic tribes. Thus, the people who were praying for wealth from a deity carved the Fehu symbol on a bone, stone, and wood. Later, they kept the carved symbol in their home and strongly believed that prosperity would show up at their door soon. 

The Uruz rune on the other hand was the symbol of vitality and strength. If there was a household in the Germanic tribe that was weak in societal terms, they connected themselves with Uruz. The household used to carve the Uruz on a stone, bone, or a piece of wood. The household would keep the Uruz rune in their home and pray for vitality. 

It is worth noting that the Germanic army also had runes inscription on their weapons to get strength in a battle. But the use wasn’t limited during battles. We mentioned earlier that each rune had a strong association with a different deity. Thus, people used to carve and chant a rune to seek blessing from the associated deity. This way the Germanic tribes connected with a superior deity.

Geographical Spread

For a few decades, the writing system was confined to the boundaries of Germanic tribes. However, over time, these tribes came in contact with neighboring regions. People from the Northern Sea and Scandinavia were the first to know about Elder further Runes. Later, the Netherlands and modern Germany also became aware of the writing system. After a while, the Germanic tribes began the migration process and also interacted with other cultures. Thus, the Futhark Runes evolved and also adapted to various other languages. 

The spread of Futhark Runes continued till the 8th Century. But later, this writing system was taken over by Younger Futhark. The Younger Futhark writing system was famous in the Scandinavian cultures. The primary reason for the popularity of the Younger further was simple runes and symbols. These symbols were easy to adapt in many languages of that era. 

Archeological Evidence 

We can’t back our information if we are unable to share any evidence. The earliest traces of the writing system were found on the artifacts by archeologists. Spearheads, brooches, and Combs had carvings of the Futhark runes. Those runes date back to the 1st century. This evidence also shares another important info at the beginning of that era, Futhark runes were only for personal identification. 

Over time, the personal identification system became popular across various Germanic Tribes. In the starting days, those tribes were using the runes to pay respect to their dead relatives and family members. Also, the early use of the runes was to mark the boundaries of a tribe. Those Germanic Tribes were using Stones to crave the runes. 

Decline of Elder Futhark Runes

The decline of the Elder Futhark Runes is linked with the spread of Christianity. As Christianity spread in Europe, the church suggested the use of Latin in the area. Also, the followers of Christianity found it easier to follow the teachings of their religion in the Latin alphabet. Gradually, the Viking era came to an end and it carried out the Elder Futhark as well. But despite this decline, the legacy of Futhark runes was passed on to generations via other writing systems. 

Even to this day, linguistic students study Elder Futhark. If you understand about neopagan practices, you will find out Elder Futhark’s use in those practices. The greatest example of the futhark’s runes in the modern era is meditation. People who are regular and devoted followers of mediation, draw different Elder Futhark runes to seek guidance and wisdom from the ultimate deity. The rise and fall of the Elder Futhark is one of the most fascinating subjects of our history. 

Elder Futhark Runes and Magical Uses

Germanic people strongly believed that the Elder Futhark runes were possessing magical powers. Also, these runes were associated with deities. Thus, people of the tribe were always in search of a way to understand these runes. They believed that they had to understand the correct method of using the runes.

Only then they could influence the deity associated with the Futhark Rune. Some of the most influential forces back in those days were wisdom, protection, and the forces of nature. Some individuals went ahead and wanted to change the course of historical events as well by using the Futhark Runes. Following are some magical uses of these runes. 

Divination

Divination was the most popular subject of the Germanic people. They were always in search of knowledge of the future. So, they could know some details about the hidden facts of the universe. Like this era, Germanic people also have various questions about the hidden universal facts. As per those people, they had to make specific arrangements of the Futhark runes to get an insight. This way, they assumed being closer to an answer. The Germanic people were extra careful while carving the Runes. If the position or the angle of a rune was changed, it added more complexity to their answers. 

If a person was carving the rune Raidho in an upright position, it meant movement and journey for the individual. But in some way, the angles were reversed, and the result indicated some obstacles and delays for the future journey. People always consulted the runes, to seek guidance from the diety for their plans. They believed that the superior deity sent them hidden messages and signals in the form of these runes. 

Elder Futhark Runes as Protection

Protection has been the top defensive move for humankind since day one. Whether it’s protection from enemies, animals, or an unknown force, we all have been finding ways to live a happy life. Some runes of this writing system were famous for protective charms. Algiz rune, for example, was considered a representative of defense and protection. People used to describe the rune on weapons and amulets.

While carving the Algiz rune, Germanic people sought protection against all evils, negative influences, and danger. If a harmful force attempted to disturb the Germanic people’s lives, the Algiz rune would create a layer of protection that reflects the harmful forces. Thus, it resulted in safety for the tribe. 

If a person had to amplify the protective powers of the rune, they would combine multiple runes and come up with a bind-rune. This bind-rune had enhanced protection. But there were a select few people who had info about the correct combination of the runes. Germanic peoples used to consult those Spiritual guides to carve personalized bind-runes. Each bind-rune was based on a person’s desires and needs. 

Healing

We understand that illness and injuries were most problematic in the early centuries due to a lack of medication and other facilities. Thus, Germanic people took help from the runes to seek healing and physical protection. Uruz rune was associated with physical strength and vitality. If a person was feeling ill for a considerable time, they would invoke the Uruz rune in a spell. The resultant spell would provide healing charm for the ill people and would provide physical endurance. 

Some people also wore those runes in the form of a bracelet or locket to seek long-term protection. Germanic people believed that the runes would enhance the body’s natural healing process. 

We should note that all 24 runes had a different effect on the human body. Germanic tribes had strong beliefs about those runes. Thus, these beliefs became the reason behind the legend of Elder Futhark Runes. 

Read More: What Does ONB Mean? Intro, Meaning, and Usage of Slang

Final Thoughts

Now we understand that our ancestors also had a writing system through which they communicated with each other. However, their writing system was based on cultural beliefs and spirituality.