History&Symbols

THE RUNES

Here you can find our Runes products on ethnos

The sure facts regarding this ancient form of divination are few: it is difficult to know both the exact dating or the precise location of their birth on the continent, but we know that these signs were known and used in Sweden already during the Bronze Age, about 1300 BC, used as a written alphabet to draw up legal documents and to write prose and poetry related to the divinities of the Sun. It is known, moreover, that their last appearance dates back to the Middle Ages, when they were still in use in the Icelandic population.
Before the Germanic peoples possessed any form of writing, the signs used to communicate were the ones already known and used in the Scandinavian populations: these early writings took the name of Rune, from the Gothic, “secret, mystery.” Soon these symbols were used for predictions, evocations and in ceremonies, thus favoring their development and their importance to the point that they began to be engraved on cups, on amulets used in rituals, on warriors’ weapons and on prows of Viking ships.
They bestowed honors, riches and huge awards to those who knew how to interpret their meaning whenever this became necessary.
The so-called Masters of the Runes, Viking and Teutonic, mostly women, were in fact honored, celebrated, welcome and feared at the same time. These shamans became familiar figures within the tribal circles: they always carried a bag containing irregular pebbles with runes engraved on one side, and once the head of the clan had made his request, they extracted the pebbles from the bag and then read the meaning of only those symbols that came out face up.
This form of prediction was especially used before forthcoming battles, when warriors had auspicious runes engraved on their weapons in order to ensure victory: therefore, among all the runic inscriptions survived to our days, the most popular is “unleash the spirit warrior”.
According to Roman historian Tacitus, these symbols and their form of reading and interpretation were known all over Europe in the first century AD. At that time the Runes accompanied warriors, merchants, and clergymen, and such development increased their fame and the knowledge related to them. Thus was born the need to create a single alphabet, recognizable to all, and, for this purpose, was created the so-called “Futhark Alphabet”, composed of 24 runes divided into three groups of 8 letters each (according to tradition numbers 8 and 3 possess special powers), each group named according to one of the main Scandinavian deities:

• FREYR | includes Fehu, Uruz, Thorisaz, Ansuz, Raido, Kano, Ghebo, Wunjo
• HAGAL | includes Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Perth, Algiz, Sowulo.
• TYR | includes Teiwaz, Berkana, Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz, Inguz, Othila, Dagaz.

Later, the Anglo-Saxons brought to 33 the number of letters and introduced the Mystic Rune, representation of the unknowable, of the unknown and of the divine, on which there is no emblem engraved.
The slogan that accompanies the reading of the runes is the same as the Oracle of Delphi: “Know Thyself.”
They allow us to overcome the limitations of reason, freeing our inner energy and unleashing the wisdom that our unconscious contains. Therefore, whenever we come into contact with our inner self through the runes, we can hear a force talking from within. Runes and their interpretation provide a guide to the knowledge of our inner self, to explore the most intimate part of our being.
They do not predict the future, but focus our attention on our unconscious abilities, and show us how to use them to best according to what we are experiencing at the moment; a bridge to our most instinctive and irrational part, a mirror through which we can glimpse our psyche.

Important Note:
The Runes available on this website (those sold individually; we remind you that on Ethnos is available a bag with the whole set) have been associated with the zodiac through an interpretation made by the anthropologist Bobo Otera, who has combined each rune with the zodiac according to their meaning.
In order to avoid semantic ambiguity, we underline that this is an interpretation made in view of a simplified and understandable approach to the runes.

NAUDIZ December 21 – January 4 – EARTH CAPRICORN It is the rune of clarification, protection, gives stability, long life to things. Knowledge, creativity.	ALGIZ January 5 – January 19 – EARTH CAPRICORN The rune of the spark of genius, gives attitude to magic, gives the ability to help others.
ISA January 20 – February 3 – AIR AQUARIUS It is the rune of instinct, gives kindness, selflessness, generosity. Improves personal charisma, sympathy, brings luck in various areas of life.	PERDH February 4 – February 18 – AIR AQUARIUS It helps to clarify confused situations, invites to try one’s luck, to let oneself go, unexpected winnings, surprises.
JERA February 19 – March 5 – WATER PISCES This rune represents justice, the reunion of the couple, protects the family and ensures prosperity and well-being. It is the symbol of the inner fusion.	EIHWAZ March 6 – March 20 – WATER PISCES This rune represents human power, defense against the possibility of any external attack.
FEHU March 21 – April 5 – FIRE ARIES Gives the ability to achieve great things in life, improves critical thinking. Wealth, inner peace, prosperity, luck.	DAGAZ April 6 – April 20 – FIRE ARIES Represents the victory of light over darkness in every sense. Indicates courage, success, capacity of taking decisions. Promises positive encounters.
URUZ April 21 – May 5 – EARTH TAURUS Indicates instinctive energy, overwhelming passion, strong sexual energy. Brings sociability, loyalty, good psychological health.	OTHILAZ May 6 – May 21 – EARTH TAURUS The rune of acquisition, desire, indicates inheritance, abundance, opulence, gain, requires readiness to grasp the benefits that luck makes available.
THORISAZ May 22 – June 4 – AIR GEMINI It gives love for art, talent, strength of will, indicates a happy relationship in the couple. It is the rune of the giants.	INGUZ June 5 – June 20 – AIR GEMINI The rune of family and tribal union, linked to abundance, fidelity, fertility. Donates harmony and continuity to the family. Allows to refine one’s plans.
ANSUZ June 21- July 5 – WATER CANCER Rune of the gods, and of Odin, of truth and revelation. Donates luck and charm, optimism, fertility.	LAGUZ July 6 – July 22 – WATER CANCER Rune of communication, seduction, of physical attraction. Enhances personal magnetism. It gives enthusiasm, passion for ideas.
RAIDO July 23 – August 6 – FIRE LEO It is the rune of those who try their luck in pursuing great achievements, gives luck in studies and artistic creations, energy and movement.	MANNAZ August 7 – August 22 – FIRE LEO This rune captures the essence of the person. Auspicious for any action to be taken, protects against negative influences.
KENAZ August 23 – September 6 – EARTH VIRGO It protects from perils, it is the rune of choices, of magic protection.	EHWAZ September 7 – September 22 –EARTH VIRGO In the Scandinavian area, the horse and this rune are symbols of marital fidelity and of word of honour. Protects during journeys.
GHEBO September 23 – October 7 – AIR LIBRA It is the rune of hope, love, fulfilled promises, a symbol of friendship and hospitality.	BERKANA October 8 – October 22 – AIR LIBRA This rune symbolizes the lash of twig used in some pagan rituals of fertility. Confers protection, success, prosperity.
WUNJO October 23 – November 6 – WATER SCORPIO This rune represents the joy for the obtained victory. Indicates a good relationship with the outer world. Helps overcome depression, anxiety, gives energy, abundance.	TEIWAZ November 7 – November 22 – WATER SCORPIO The rune of the brave, gives strength when facing life’s adversities. It makes love relationships “magic”, gives solidity to unions, wellbeing.
HAGALAZ November 23 – December 7 – FIRE SAGITTARIUS It is the rune of sacrifice, of the mission to be carried out. Indicates wisdom, spiritual power, harmony and fertility.	SOWULO December 8 – December 20 – FIRE SAGITTARIUS The solar rune par excellence, illuminates every area of life. Auspicious for existential ascent, winning, success, courage.