Rune Dictionary
written by Venita Wessex
An introduction to the interpretation and usage of Germanic runes.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
16
Reads
52,491
Chapter 14: The Fragments of Tyr’s Aett in the Younger Futhark
Chapter 16
ᛏ ᛐ ᛑ
Tiwaz --- Týr
Phonetic value: /t/, as in the English tick, the French tordue, and the Spanish tango
/ts/, most similar to the English tsunami
/d/, as in the English dash
Meaning: The god Tyr
Changes: Neither the plain Tyr rune, nor its variant are the same as the original Tiwaz rune from the Elder Futhark. The meaning, though it appears to have changed at first glance, is the same, as Tyr is just a later expression of the same god, Tiwaz. Lastly, due to the disappearance of Dagaz, Tyr has had to absorb its sound values.
Magical Uses: As was discussed in the entry on Kaun, there are those that theorize that the Tyr variant used to express the sound /d/ is magical. Though nothing has been proven, there are theories that the variant of the rune may have some powers useful for battle, fueled by the fact that the rune’s namesake was the god of war (due to the trend of ancient magic calling up deities to cause a magical effect).
General Notes: The third symbol listed is not truly a variant, but instead an alternative rune that indicates the use of the sound /d/ instead of /t/ or /ts/.
ᛒ ᛓ ᛔ
Berkano --- Bjarkan or Björk
Phonetic value: /b/, as in the English book, the French, and the Spanish bien
/p/, as in the English pack, the French pomme, and the Spanish peso
Meaning: Birch
Changes: The sound values of Bjarkan were added to, specifically /p/, as Perthro was removed from this script.
Magical Uses: As has been mentioned in the entries on Kaun and Tyr, the variant of Bjarkan is suspected to be magical by some. Theories about the rune’s potential magical powers range from water purification to repelling hags from children’s bedsides, though all remain unproven.
General Notes: The third symbol listed is not truly a variant, but instead an alternative rune that indicates the use of the sound /p/ instead of /b/.
ᛘ ᛉ ᛙ
Mannaz --- Maðr or Madhr
Phonetic value: /m/, as in the English milk, the French même, and the Spanish mandar
Meaning: Man
Changes: The shape used to represent Madhr is a drastic departure from the original shape of Mannaz.
ᛚ
Laguz --- Lögr or Lög
Phonetic value: /l/, as in the English lake, the French lac, and the Spanish lago
Meaning: Water
Changes: From the original three meanings from the Elder Futhark: water, leek, and lake, only water remains.
Tiwaz --- Týr
Phonetic value: /t/, as in the English tick, the French tordue, and the Spanish tango
/ts/, most similar to the English tsunami
/d/, as in the English dash
Meaning: The god Tyr
Changes: Neither the plain Tyr rune, nor its variant are the same as the original Tiwaz rune from the Elder Futhark. The meaning, though it appears to have changed at first glance, is the same, as Tyr is just a later expression of the same god, Tiwaz. Lastly, due to the disappearance of Dagaz, Tyr has had to absorb its sound values.
Magical Uses: As was discussed in the entry on Kaun, there are those that theorize that the Tyr variant used to express the sound /d/ is magical. Though nothing has been proven, there are theories that the variant of the rune may have some powers useful for battle, fueled by the fact that the rune’s namesake was the god of war (due to the trend of ancient magic calling up deities to cause a magical effect).
General Notes: The third symbol listed is not truly a variant, but instead an alternative rune that indicates the use of the sound /d/ instead of /t/ or /ts/.
ᛒ ᛓ ᛔ
Berkano --- Bjarkan or Björk
Phonetic value: /b/, as in the English book, the French, and the Spanish bien
/p/, as in the English pack, the French pomme, and the Spanish peso
Meaning: Birch
Changes: The sound values of Bjarkan were added to, specifically /p/, as Perthro was removed from this script.
Magical Uses: As has been mentioned in the entries on Kaun and Tyr, the variant of Bjarkan is suspected to be magical by some. Theories about the rune’s potential magical powers range from water purification to repelling hags from children’s bedsides, though all remain unproven.
General Notes: The third symbol listed is not truly a variant, but instead an alternative rune that indicates the use of the sound /p/ instead of /b/.
ᛘ ᛉ ᛙ
Mannaz --- Maðr or Madhr
Phonetic value: /m/, as in the English milk, the French même, and the Spanish mandar
Meaning: Man
Changes: The shape used to represent Madhr is a drastic departure from the original shape of Mannaz.
ᛚ
Laguz --- Lögr or Lög
Phonetic value: /l/, as in the English lake, the French lac, and the Spanish lago
Meaning: Water
Changes: From the original three meanings from the Elder Futhark: water, leek, and lake, only water remains.
