Elder Futhark Runes: Meanings, Origins & Uses

How to use Nordic rune meanings to guide your path

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Aimee Payne, MFA. Aimee Payne is a writer and editor living in Jacksonville, Florida. For more than 10 years, she has created informative and engaging marketing content for the insurance, collectibles, and apparel industries. She has a BA from Otterbein University where she studied English Literature and Music, and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

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Have you ever wondered about the meanings of Nordic runes? Or maybe you’ve heard about how these ancient symbols are used as an oracle that can help you gain insight into your life. If you need help navigating specific situations or challenges in your life, runes can assist in connecting to your higher self for insight and guidance. This article covers the meanings of the runes most commonly used for divination, background information, how to cast runes, and a few simple layouts.

The Elder Futhark runes are ancient Norse symbols used as an alphabet and for divination.
The 24 runes of the Elder Futhark each have a different symbol and meaning, including Fehu (wealth), Uruz (endurance), and Thurisaz (conflict).
Randomly select a single rune and check its meaning for a simple reading, or select 3 runes for a past, present, and future reading.

Representing branches growing from a tree, Fehu means success and prosperity coming into your life.[1]
When you see this rune in a reading, it’s usually very good news. It can signify that you will have a successful career and material security.
- Pronunciation: FAY-hoo
- Translation: Cattle
- Alphabet: F
- Element: Fire
- Reversed: Fehu inverted can indicate the dark side of money and power, like greed or corruption.
Uruz is associated with the aurochs, a large, formerly extinct ancestor of domesticated cattle.[2]
While Fehu stands for domesticated cattle, Uruz represents a larger wild animal that has its own strength of will not shared by its domesticated brethren. It symbolizes life force, physical health, and endurance.
- Pronunciation: OO-rooz
- Translation: Aurochs
- Alphabet: U[3]
- Element: Earth
- Reversed: Uruz inverted signals a weakening of your body or that others may be dominating you.
The literal translation of Thurisaz is “giant,” but it is also known as the thorn. In a reading, it can mean there is a need to defend yourself or stand up to your enemies. As the thorn, it is a tool or weapon used to protect yourself.[4]
- Pronunciation: THOO-ree-saz
- Translation: Giant
- Alphabet: Th, D
- Element: Fire
- Reversed: Thurisaz inverted can mean you aren’t dealing with conflict or adversity.
Ansuz represents the wisdom of the gods handed down to man. It can signify an authority figure coming into your life, but it can also mean that the gods are speaking to you through inspiration and creative work, like writing a novel or composing a song.[5]
- Pronunciation:AHN-sooz
- Translation: Mouth, god
- Alphabet: A
- Element: Air
- Reversed: Ansuz inverted can mean an authority figure hampers your progress or that you’re overlooking the wisdom around you.
This rune represents your overall life path. In a reading, it can mean you will go on a fated journey that leads to important changes in your life, like a move or career change.[6]
- Pronunciation: RYE-do
- Translation: Ride
- Alphabet: R
- Element: Air
- Reversed: Raidho inverted can signal a journey that leads you away from your primary path or a failure to move on from setbacks.
Kenaz is a torch that stands for the light of knowledge. In a reading, it can mean that you will soon receive clarification or a solution to a long-standing problem.[7]
- Pronunciation: KAY-nahz
- Translation: Torch
- Alphabet: C, K
- Element: Fire
- Reversed: Kenaz inverted can mean your inspiration is extinguished, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream.
Gebo is associated with love and all forms of giving, whether through generosity or sacrifice for the good of another. When you see Gebo in a reading, it means a gift, opportunity, marriage proposal, or even a physical union is in your future. This rune also has a strong association with balance.
- Pronunciation: GAY-bow
- Translation: Gift[8]
- Alphabet: G
- Element: Air
- Reversed: Gebo is perfectly balanced and doesn’t have an inverted meaning.
Wunjo means “joy” and looks like a flag raised after a clear victory. This rune represents great happiness, success, and achieving your goals. In a reading, Wunjo means all your dreams are about to come true.
- Pronunciation: WUHN-joe
- Translation: Joy
- Alphabet: W
- Element: Air
- Reversed: Wunjo inverted means that there are obstacles to your goal or it will take longer to achieve than expected.[9]
Hagalaz represents sudden destruction, as with a devastating storm.[10]
The positive side of this room is that the destruction is over quickly, giving you the opportunity to make a fresh start.
- Pronunciation: HA-guh-laz
- Translation: Hail
- Alphabet: H
- Element: Air
- Reversed: Hagalaz has the same meaning whether it’s inverted or upright.
The rune Nauthiz represents the fire that is necessary to survive winter. In a reading, Nauthiz suggests that you desperately want or need something to move forward.[11]
It can mean material needs or spiritual yearning.
- Pronunciation: NOW-theez
- Translation: Need-fire
- Alphabet: N
- Element: Fire
- Reversed: While some believe Nauthiz can’t be reversed, others feel it can signify that hardships are at their worst and can only improve.
Isa implies that the situation is frozen in place. It suggests meditation or a period of rest before taking action, giving you the chance to take stock of your surroundings. In a reading, Isa is a reminder that even though you might feel stuck, you have the opportunity to take control of the situation.
- Pronunciation: EEE-sah
- Translation: Ice
- Alphabet: I
- Element: Water
- Reversed: Isa can’t be inverted.
The rune Jera represents the changing of the seasons.[12]
It represents two scythes harvesting a field of grain, which is the reward of a year of hard work. In a reading, Jera symbolizes a vacation, sabbatical, or retirement after the successful completion of a job. It can also mean that you won’t receive any reward if you haven’t put in the necessary labor.
- Pronunciation: YARE-uh
- Translation: Year
- Alphabet: J, Y
- Element: Earth
- Reversed: Because it represents a cycle, Jera means the same whether it’s upright or inverted.
Where Jera represents the changing seasons, Eihwaz (or Ihwaz) symbolizes the cycle of life and death.[13]
In a reading, it can mean you are embarking on a profound change, like going away to college, getting married, or starting a new phase of your life.
- Pronunciation: AYE-waz
- Translation: Yew
- Alphabet: E, N
- Element: Air
- Reversed: There is no reversed meaning for Eihwaz.
Perthro doesn’t have a clear translation in modern languages, but it is often linked to a cup or vessel. In readings, this rune represents mysteries, fate, or things that are hidden.[14]
It reminds you that even though you think you understand your situation, there might be information you don’t know. It’s telling you to roll the dice and trust in the outcome.
- Pronunciation: PAIR-throw
- Translation: No clear translation
- Alphabet: P
- Element: Water
- Reversed: When you see Perthro inverted, it is always telling you to be cautious and watch for obstacles in your path.
Algiz depicts an elk’s antlers which were carved into the weapons and shields of warriors to protect them from harm in the heat of battle.[15]
It’s also often associated with strength and protection. This rune tells you that there may be a threat, either physical or spiritual, and you need to be proactive about defending yourself.
- Pronunciation: AHL-geez
- Translation: Elk
- Alphabet: Z
- Element: Air
- Reversed: When inverted, Algiz signifies that you may be weak and vulnerable without protection.
Sowilo is the source of warmth and light in your life. With this rune’s energy and strength, it represents healing and success. If you’re seeing Sowilo in a reading, expect sunny days and good times ahead, possibly even better than you could ever imagine.[16]
- Pronunciation: so-WEE-lo
- Translation: Sun
- Alphabet: S
- Element: Air
- Reversed: Sowilo has such positive energy that there is no inverted interpretation.
Tiwaz is associated with Týr, a Norse god and warrior who lost his hand fighting the monster wolf Fenrir. Tiwaz is a positive rune that denotes action and powerful forward motion, but any success will come with a – sometimes painful – price. In some cases, it can indicate a minor injury.
- Pronunciation: TEE-wahz
- Translation: The God, Týr
- Alphabet: T
- Element: Air
- Reversed: Inverted, Tiwaz warns to be careful of using force to make progress.[17]
  Try to find a less direct way to move forward if you want to succeed.
Berkana represents the mother goddess as well as the bond between mother and child. When this rune appears in a reading, it can indicate a pregnancy or a new business venture.[18]
It can also refer to personal and domestic issues.
- Pronunciation: bur-KAH-nan
- Translation: Birch tree
- Alphabet: B
- Element: Earth
- Reversed: When inverted, Berkana can mean trouble – even betrayal – in a relationship. It also indicates you may experience stunted growth if you don’t open yourself to healing energies.
Translated as “horse,” this rune represents the partnership between humans or humans and animals to make steady forward progress.[19]
It can also mean that profound changes are coming your way—possibly even your true destiny.
- Pronunciation: AY-was
- Translation: Horse
- Alphabet: E
- Element: Air
- Reversed: When Ehwaz shows up inverted in a reading, it can signal passivity, a failure to communicate, or blocked movement.
This rune symbolizes humanity joined together as one. In a reading, it can refer to a group of people, a community, or a family unit.[20]
It can also suggest your relationship within a community and how you are perceived.
- Pronunciation: MAH-naz
- Translation: Mankind
- Alphabet: M
- Element: Air
- Reversed: Inverted, this rune means that you should heal yourself before you attempt to help others.
This rune is often associated with feminine knowledge and can mean that you should trust your intuition. It can also signify uncertainty in your life or that you are dealing with a hidden truth that might not be entirely pleasant.[21]
- Pronunciation: LAH-goos
- Translation: Lake
- Alphabet: L
- Element: Water
- Reversed: If you see Laguz inverted, it can mean that you are trying to ignore an unpleasant secret, like a cheating spouse, to keep the status quo.
Ingwaz (or Inguz) is a symbol of new beginnings, creation, or completion. Associated with the god Ing, it can also represent sexuality and male fertility.[22]
It can imply that change is coming, but the results are positive.
- Pronunciation: NG-wahz
- Translation: The god, Ing
- Alphabet: Ng
- Element: Water
- Reversed: Ingwaz does not have an inverted meaning.
Representing a life well-led, Dagaz signifies a person with has created balance and harmony in their life. It can also mean that you have passed through a dark time and entered the dawn of a new day.[23]
- Pronunciation: DAY-gas
- Translation: Day
- Alphabet: D
- Element: Fire
- Reversed: No inverted meaning.
This rune is strongly associated with family and inheritance, but not only in a material sense. It can represent money or land but also the traits, talents, and traditions passed down to you from your ancestors.[24]
- Pronunciation: OWE-tha-la
- Translation: Home
- Alphabet: O
- Element: Earth
- Reversed: When you see Othala inverted, it can refer to chaos in your home or a loss of land or wealth.

Associated with the Norse god Freyr, this aett, or section, of the runic alphabet is thought to signify the material world, like finances, property, or business. The runes can also represent personal growth, inner strength, and the ability to achieve your goals.
The second set of eight runes is known as Heimdall’s Aett. These runes are named after Heimdall, the watchman of the gods who could see all that occurred in the nine realms in Norse mythology. These runes represent a transformative journey that includes setbacks, growth, and ultimately fulfillment. They remind you to be open to new possibilities and stay focused and grounded when facing adversity.
That last eight runes make up Týr’s Aett. These runes are associated with Asgard, the home of the Norse gods, and symbolize a journey toward enlightenment, spiritual growth, and justice. Týr’s Aett can remind you of your place in the universe and that you are worthy of the successes you’ve earned.[29]

You can purchase a set of Elder Futhark runes or make your own. Runes can be made of a wide variety of materials, including glass, ceramic, and semi-precious stones. Choose the set that appeals to you.
When casting runes, it’s important to be able to focus on your impressions of the symbols. A well-lighted, out-of-the-way spot that has enough room for you to be comfortable will help you minimize distractions that can break your concentration.
The rune cloth will not only protect your runes but will also make them easier to see against the light-colored background. A rune cloth also provides a boundary for year magical space.[30]
However, some people prefer to cast their runes directly onto the floor or other flat surfaces. Do what feels right to you.
Once you feel grounded and centered, focus on the issue or question for which you would like to receive guidance while holding or gently shaking your rune bag. Sometimes, it can help to write your question on a piece of paper. This helps transfer energy into your runes which may help you receive a more targeted reading.
- You can ask for help regarding a targeted situation like getting a specific job or a broad issue like drawing more abundance into your life.
- Runes can’t tell you what will happen in the future, but they can help you determine the best course of action.
You can pick each rune individually from the bag or take as many as you need for the layout at once.[31]
- An alternate way to cast runes is to hold all 24 in your hand at the same time.
- Let all of the runes fall onto your rune cloth.
- Pick up only the runes that land face up.
- Repeat the process until you have the correct number of runes for your preferred layout.
Layouts have different positions to help you put the reading into context and make it easier to understand. Layouts that require more runes give a more detailed reading.

Pulling one rune is a great way for you to dip your toe into casting and interpreting runes because there is only one symbol to focus on. You also don’t have to remember what the layout position means. Single rune readings are perfect when you need quick guidance or would like to receive general guidance for your day.[32]
Choose this reading when you would like to have a little more guidance than one stone can offer. A three-stone reading is another good choice for beginners because the runes are read in a straight line, making them easier to interpret. There are a couple of different ways of interpreting a three-stone reading:
- Current situation, challenge, action: In this layout, the left-hand rune represents your current situation or question. The middle rune represents a challenge or obstacle that stands in your way. The last rune represents the action you need to take to address the obstacle.
- Past, present, future: This layout gives you a general view of a situation. The rune on the left symbolizes the past energies that have influenced the issue. The middle rune represents the current energies. The rune on the right represents energies that are coming your way in the future.
For this layout, you would choose five runes. Place one rune in the center with the second to the left, the third above, the fourth below, and the fifth to the right. When you’re done, you will have a shape that looks like a simple cross.
- The three horizontal runes represent the past, present, and future.
- The rune beneath the past, present, and future represents a challenge or problem.
- The final rune, placed above, represents any help you may receive to overcome the challenge.[33]

Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education

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