The runic script

RuneTransliterationName1Meaning of the name
fehucattle (cf. German Vieh)
uruzurochs
þurisaz2giant, demon
ansuzAsa
raiðocart
kaunan?
gebogift
wunjo (winjo?)fortune (pasture?)
haglazhail
nauðirneed
isanice
jeranyear
iwaztaxus (cf. ivy)
perþopear?
algizelk
sowilosun
tiwazTyr
berkananbirch
ehwazhorse (cf. Latin equus)
manzman
laukaz (laguz?)leek (sea?)
ingwazIng
dagazday
oþalanestate

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.