The Elder Futhark is the oldest runic alphabet, dating to the 2nd century CE. These 24 sacred symbols were used by Norse and Germanic peoples for writing, divination, and magic. Each rune carries a specific meaning connected to natural forces, human experiences, and cosmic principles.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just discovering runes, this complete guide covers every rune's upright and reversed meanings, keywords, and the aett (family) it belongs to. Try our free rune reading tool to put this knowledge into practice.
The Three Aettir (Families)
The 24 runes are divided into three groups of eight called aettir, each named after a Norse deity:
- Freya's Aett (Runes 1–8): Material world, creation, and primal forces
- Heimdall's Aett (Runes 9–16): Challenge, transformation, and cosmic forces
- Tyr's Aett (Runes 17–24): Society, self, and spiritual evolution
Freya's Aett — Runes of Creation
1. Fehu (ᚠ) — Wealth
Upright: Wealth, abundance, success, new beginnings. Fehu represents material prosperity and the fulfillment of efforts. Financial gain and achievement of goals are indicated.
Reversed: Loss, greed, stagnation. Warns of financial setbacks, missed opportunities, or clinging too tightly to possessions.
2. Uruz (ᚢ) — Strength
Upright: Raw strength, vitality, courage, untamed potential. The wild ox energy that drives transformation. A time of physical vitality and inner power.
Reversed: Weakness, illness, self-doubt. Suggests weakened vitality or resistance to necessary change. Rest and rebuild.
3. Thurisaz (ᚦ) — Thorn/Thor
Upright: Protection, defense, catalyst for change. Associated with Thor's hammer, it represents the power to break through obstacles.
Reversed: Danger, defenselessness, uncontrolled aggression. Warns of vulnerability and impulsive reactions.
4. Ansuz (ᚨ) — Odin/Communication
Upright: Wisdom, divine communication, insight, inspired speech. Expect important messages, revelations, or mentorship.
Reversed: Miscommunication, deception, ignoring wise counsel. Verify information and listen carefully.
5. Raidho (ᚱ) — Journey
Upright: Journey, movement, progress, right action. Both physical travel and spiritual evolution. Trust the path.
Reversed: Delays, disrupted plans, feeling lost. A journey may not go as expected.
6. Kenaz (ᚲ) — Torch
Upright: Knowledge, creativity, illumination, artistic inspiration. The torch that lights the darkness. Creative projects thrive.
Reversed: Darkness, confusion, blocked creativity. Seek new perspectives and guidance.
7. Gebo (ᚷ) — Gift
Upright only (cannot be reversed): Gift, partnership, generosity, mutual obligation. Harmonious relationships and balanced giving/receiving. A gift is coming your way.
8. Wunjo (ᚹ) — Joy
Upright: Joy, harmony, fulfillment, fellowship. Wishes fulfilled and emotional contentment. Celebrate your blessings.
Reversed: Sorrow, alienation, unfulfilled expectations. Look inward to find what is truly missing.
Heimdall's Aett — Runes of Transformation
9. Hagalaz (ᚺ) — Hail
Upright only: Disruption, necessary change, awakening. The hailstone that clears the way for new growth. Trust the process of transformation.
10. Nauthiz (ᚾ) — Need
Upright only: Need, constraint, endurance, resilience. Acknowledges hardship but promises that adversity builds character. Patience will see you through.
11. Isa (ᛁ) — Ice
Upright only: Ice, stillness, patience, introspection. Everything is frozen. Use this time for inner reflection. Movement will come when the ice melts naturally.
12. Jera (ᛃ) — Harvest
Upright only: Harvest, cycles, reward. What you have sown is ready to reap. Natural cycles are working in your favor. Patience has paid off.
13. Eihwaz (ᛇ) — Yew Tree
Upright only: Endurance, protection, transformation. The yew tree — axis between life and death. Deep resilience and the ability to navigate transitions.
14. Perthro (ᛈ) — Mystery
Upright: Mystery, fate, hidden knowledge, secrets revealed. The well of wyrd — destiny unfolding in unexpected ways.
Reversed: Stagnation, addiction, loneliness. Unhealthy patterns or obsessive thinking. Break free from cycles.
15. Algiz (ᛉ) — Protection
Upright: Protection, shield, sharp instincts. The elk's antlers — divine protection. Trust your gut feelings.
Reversed: Vulnerability, danger, lowered defenses. Pay attention to red flags and strengthen boundaries.
16. Sowilo (ᛊ) — Sun
Upright only: Sun, victory, vitality, wholeness. The most positive rune in the Elder Futhark. Victory is assured, health is strong.
Tyr's Aett — Runes of the Self
17. Tiwaz (ᛏ) — Justice
Upright: Justice, honor, leadership, selfless sacrifice. Tyr's rune — moral courage and legal victory. Stand firm in your convictions.
Reversed: Injustice, dishonor, misplaced loyalty. Reassess where you place your trust.
18. Berkano (ᛒ) — Birch
Upright: Birth, growth, nurturing, fertility. New beginnings, gentle growth, and maternal care. Something new is ready to bloom.
Reversed: Stagnation, neglect, family conflict. Tend to your emotional garden before planting new seeds.
19. Ehwaz (ᛖ) — Horse
Upright: Movement, trust, loyal partnership. Progress through cooperation and mutual respect. A significant partnership accelerates your path.
Reversed: Distrust, betrayal, restlessness. A relationship may need honest communication.
20. Mannaz (ᛗ) — Humanity
Upright: Humanity, self-awareness, community, social bonds. Examine your role in the collective. Seek cooperation.
Reversed: Isolation, selfishness, self-deception. Honest self-reflection is needed.
21. Laguz (ᛚ) — Water
Upright: Water, intuition, flow, dreams, the unconscious. Follow your inner knowing and trust life's flow.
Reversed: Fear, emotional turmoil, ignoring intuition. Seek calm and clarity before making decisions.
22. Ingwaz (ᛜ) — Fertility
Upright only: Fertility, potential, completion. The seed — internal growth gestating within you. Transformation is happening beneath the surface.
23. Dagaz (ᛞ) — Dawn
Upright only: Dawn, breakthrough, radical clarity. The turning point between darkness and light. A major transformation is at hand.
24. Othala (ᛟ) — Heritage
Upright: Heritage, home, ancestry, family legacy. Property, inheritance, and belonging to something greater. Honor your roots.
Reversed: Rootlessness, prejudice, family conflict. Balance honoring the past with embracing change.
How to Use Runes for Divination
Rune reading begins with a clear intention. Hold your question in mind, then draw runes — either from a bag, cast onto a cloth, or use our free rune reading tool. The position and orientation of each rune shapes its meaning.
Start with a single daily rune pull to build familiarity. Progress to 3-rune spreads (Past-Present-Future) and eventually 5-rune spreads for complex situations. Keep a rune journal alongside your daily tarot practice for deeper insights.
Runes and Other Divination Systems
Runes pair beautifully with tarot cards, astrology, and numerology. Many practitioners draw a daily rune alongside their daily tarot card for layered guidance. Your numerology number can even be mapped to a corresponding rune for deeper self-understanding.