Rune Dictionary

written by Venita Wessex

An introduction to the interpretation and usage of Germanic runes.

Last Updated

05/31/21

Chapters

16

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50,942

Chapter 9: Tyr’s Anglo-Saxon Aett

Chapter 11

Tiwaz --- Tyr (also called Tir or Tiw, among others)
Phonetic value: /t/, as in the English table, the French tête, and the Spanish tomar
Meaning: The god Tiw
Changes: None, apart from those noted in the introduction to this chapter.
General Notes: The name of the god for which this rune is named is quite flexible (Tir, Tiw) and can be linked back to the god Tyr, for which the aett of the original Elder Futhark was named.


Berkano --- Beorc
Phonetic value: /b/, as in the English book, the French, and Spanish bien
Meaning: Birch
Changes: None, apart from those noted in the introduction to this chapter.


Ehwaz --- Eoh
Phonetic value: /e/, as in the English hey, the French ête, and the Spanish bebe
Meaning: Horse
Changes: None, apart from those noted in the introduction to this chapter.


Mannaz --- Man or Mann
Phonetic value: /m/, as in the English milk, the French même, and the Spanish mandar
Meaning: Man
Changes: None, apart from those noted in the introduction to this chapter.


Laguz --- Lagu
Phonetic value: /l/, as in the English lake, the French lac, and the Spanish lago
Meaning: Water / Sea
Changes: The meaning of water remains the same. However, lake is given over to allow sea to take its place, and leek is removed entirely.
Magical Uses: Some magianthropologists believe they have found reference to Lagu as used in ceremonies to call rain for crops. However, another corner of the magihistorical community talk of potential evidence that the rune was used to protect against flooding. With limited resources and knowledge of the past, it remains unclear if both could be correct. Additionally, it is important to note that no actual magical artefacts that are verified to Lagu instead of Laguz.


Ingwaz --- Ing
Phonetic value: /ŋ/, as in the English being, the French incroyable, and the Spanish incluir
Meaning: The hero, Ing
Changes: The shape of this rune in its original form varied widely, but even with the many variants of the parent rune, Ingwaz, the final shape of this Anglo-Saxon rune is different. Additionally, though the god Ingwaz and the hero, Ing are linked (as discussed in more detail below), they are not exactly the same.
General Notes: Both Ingwaz and Ing are related in that they are caught up in the same web of history, folklore, and myth. Both of these names are very clearly related to an Old Norse name, Yngvi, which has been considered an older name related to the god Freyr.



Othala ---Ethel
Phonetic value: [oe] or [œ], as in the English shoes and tattoo, and the Spanish champú
Meaning: Land / Estate
Changes: While the meanings of land and estate are similar to Othala’s meanings of birthplace and heritage, and it is easy to see logical development, these meanings are slightly different. Also, the sound value of the rune changed from /o/ to [oe].


Dagaz --- Dæg
Phonetic value: /d/, as in the English day, and the Spanish de
Meaning: Day
Changes: None, apart from those noted in the introduction to this chapter.
Magical Uses: As the rune is the same shape as its original Elder Futhark variant, it is near impossible to tell when which rune is being used, but some people claim that this rune might have magical properties. Their evidence lies in a few intact ox carts that have this rune (Dæg or Dagaz) as part of a runic spell. The reason it is thought to evidence of Dæg’s heretofore unknown magical powers is that the carts seem to have been made lighter, for the purpose of carrying heavy loads easier, and this is not an meaning or use that is attributed to Dagaz. However, those on the other side of the conversation point to the other runes used in conjunction as the source of this lightness.
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