The runes have stood for a thousand years, but their voices can still be heard – if you know how to listen. To read runes is to open a language from another time. A language that was carved in stone, but which still speaks through symbols, sounds and patterns.
In this post you will learn how to read and understand the Younger Futhark , the Vikings' own alphabet.
The Younger Futhark – the Viking alphabet
The Younger Futhark consists of 16 runes. The name “futhark” comes from the first six characters: F – U – Þ – A – R – K.
| Rune | Sound value | Name | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| ᚠ | f, v | Fairy | wealth, livestock |
| ᚢ | u, o, y, w | Watch | strength, endurance |
| ᚦ | þ (th) | Thurs | giant, power |
| ᚬ | oh, a | Us | God, mouth |
| ᚱ | r | Ride | travel, movement |
| ᚴ | k, g | Kaun | torch, wound |
| ᚼ | h | Hagall | hail, fate |
| ᚾ | n | Naudr | need, distress |
| ᛁ | in, e | Ice cream | ice, stillness |
| ᛅ | a, æ | Year | year, harvest |
| ᛋ | s | Sun | sun, victory |
| ᛏ | t | Tyr | justice, courage |
| ᛒ | b, p | Bjarkan | birch, plant power |
| ᛘ | m | Maðr | person |
| ᛚ | l | Lies | water, flow |
| ᛦ | r (final sound) | Dizzy | bow and arrow, power |
Tip: The runes were written without spaces, and vowels could vary.
Example: The word “stein” (stone) could be written as stain or stin , depending on dialect.
How to read runes step by step
1️⃣ Identify the signs
Look at each rune and compare it to the table above. Runes are always angular and straight because they were carved into hard material such as stone or wood.
2️⃣ Sounds instead of letters
Runes represent sounds (phonemes) , not spelling as in modern languages. For example:
- “k” and “g” are written with the same rune (ᚴ)
- “u”, “o” and “y” are written with the same rune (ᚢ)
3️⃣ Interpret the context
Since several sounds could be written with the same rune, you must interpret the word in its meaning . Example:
ᛏᚢᚱ = “TUR” → can mean Tyr (the god), tur (journey) or tor depending on the text.
4️⃣ Read from right or left
Most runic inscriptions are read left to right , but some run right to left or in serpentine patterns . The rune carver often followed the shape of the stone – not the grammar.
Example: Read a real runestone
Let's look at an actual runic inscription, from the Rökstenen in Östergötland , one of the world's most famous runestones.
Excerpt (transliteration):
“Sibbi made this stone after Vämod, his son.”
In Runic Swedish:
“Sibi gærði stæin þennsa æftiʀ Væmoð sun sinn.”
Here you see how the language already resembles Swedish – but with Old Norse grammar and pronunciation.
The difference between reading and deciphering runes
Reading runes means translating the characters into sounds. Deciphering runes also means trying to understand the meaning, symbolism, and context .
Some runes were used for words , others for magic . A rune can therefore mean both a sound and a concept.
Example:
ᛏ (Týr) means both “T” and “justice” – depending on whether you are reading a text or interpreting an amulet.
The short and long branches of the runes
The Younger Futhark comes in two variants:
| Type | Area | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Short twig runes | Sweden, Norway | Simplified, for wood and everyday use |
| Long-branched runes | Denmark | More decorative, for stone carving |
If you compare runes from different parts of the Nordic region, you will see small differences – much like dialects in a language.
Learn to write your name with runes
A fun way to start understanding the runes is to write your own name . Translate letter by letter using the table.
Example:
Anna → ᛅᚾᚾᛅ
Eric → ᛁᚱᛁᚴ
Karin → ᚴᛅᚱᛁᚾ
⚠️ Note: Since some letters did not exist in the Viking language (e.g. “C”, “Q” or “X”), you may use the closest rune in sound .
Runes as a key to ancient times
As you begin to recognize the runes, you realize how much humanity is in the stones. Each carving carries the voice of a real person – someone who lived, loved, fought, and wanted to be remembered.
The runes are not just signs – they are bridges between people over time .
So you continue to learn more
Want to delve deeper? Here are some tips:
- 📘 Book tip: Runes – history, meaning, interpretation by Lars Magnar Enoksen
- 🗿 Visit: Runestone sites in Uppland, Södermanland or Gotland
- 💻 Digital: Swedish Rune Database (National Antiquities Authority) – where you can read thousands of inscriptions with interpretation
Learning to read runes is like learning to listen to stone. The more you learn, the more clearly you hear the voice of the past.
The runes still speak
The Younger Futhark may be over a thousand years old – but its voice is still strong. The runes show that language and symbols can survive time, belief and culture .
So the next time you see a runestone – stop. You are faced with a text that can still be read . You just need to know how.
