The runic script
Rune | Transliteration | Name1 | Meaning of the name |
| | fehu | cattle (cf. German Vieh) |
| | uruz | urochs |
| | þurisaz2 | giant, demon |
| | ansuz | Asa |
| | raiðo | cart |
| | kaunan | ? |
| | gebo | gift |
| | wunjo (winjo?) | fortune (pasture?) |
| | haglaz | hail |
| | nauðir | need |
| | isan | ice |
| | jeran | year |
| | iwaz | taxus (cf. ivy) |
| | perþo | pear? |
| | algiz | elk |
| | sowilo | sun |
| | tiwaz | Tyr |
| | berkanan | birch |
| | ehwaz | horse (cf. Latin equus) |
| | manz | man |
| | laukaz (laguz?) | leek (sea?) |
| | ingwaz | Ing |
| | dagaz | day |
| | oþalan | estate |
1
The names of the runes are reconstructed forms by the runologist Wolfgang
Krause. These reconstructions are based on names mentioned in manuscripts that
date from the 8th century and later. However, the runic script may have been
invented as early as the 1st century and we cannot be sure that the
reconstructed names are the same as the names that were actually used in the
early centuries.
2
Later this rune was called þorn (thorn) in English texts, and
sometimes in Scandinavian texts as well. Perhaps this rune was renamed by the
Christians to avoid associations with the devil.
3
The exact sound value of this rune is uncertain.
4
This rune originally had the sound value of z and it only occured at
the end of a syllable. Later this sound changed into r.