Anglo Saxon Futhorc runes, an ancient writing system used by Anglo-Saxons from the 5th to the 11th centuries, shares a close relationship with the Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, and Norse runes, all of which belong to the Germanic rune family. These runic alphabets, characterized by their angular shapes, were primarily used for divination, magic, and inscriptions on weapons, tools, and jewelry.
Structure of Anglo-Saxon Futhorc Runes
The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, a runic alphabet used by the Anglo-Saxons from the 5th to the 11th century, consists of 33 runes divided into three groups called “aetts” (or “families”). Each aett has eight runes, with an additional final rune, “wyrd,” belonging to no aett.
First Aett (Frey’s Aett)
- Feoh (f): wealth, cattle
- Ur (u): aurochs, strength
- Thorn (th): thorn, defense
- Os (o): mouth, speech
- Rad (r): riding, journey
- Ken (k): torch, knowledge
- Geofu (g): gift, generosity
- Wyn (w): joy, pleasure
Second Aett (Hagal’s Aett)
- Hagal (h): hail, destruction
- Nyd (n): need, constraint
- Is (i): ice, stillness
- Jera (j): harvest, completion
- Eoh (e): yew, protection
- Peorth (p): dice, chance
- Eolh (x): elk, guidance
- Sigel (s): sun, victory
Third Aett (Tyr’s Aett)
- Tir (t): Tyr, war god
- Beorc (b): birch tree, growth
- Eh (eh): horse, swiftness
- Man (m): man, humanity
- Lag (l): water, flow
- Ing (ŋ): fertility, creativity
- Daeg (d): day, light
- Aesc (æ): ash tree, protection
Wyrd
- Wyrd (y): fate, destiny
Structure Summary
| Aett | Runes | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Frey’s Aett | 8 + Wyrd | Wealth, strength, defense, speech, journey, knowledge, gift, joy |
| Hagal’s Aett | 8 | Destruction, constraint, stillness, completion, protection, chance, guidance, victory |
| Tyr’s Aett | 8 | War, growth, swiftness, humanity, flow, fertility, light, protection |
| Wyrd | 1 | Fate |
Question 1:
- What is the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc?
Answer:
- The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc is a runic alphabet used by the Anglo-Saxons from the 5th to 11th centuries CE.
- It is a later development of the Elder Futhark, which was used by the Germanic tribes from the 2nd to 8th centuries CE.
- The Futhorc consists of 33 runes, each of which represents a sound in the Anglo-Saxon language.
Question 2:
- How was the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc used?
Answer:
- The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc was used for a variety of purposes, including writing, divination, and magic.
- It was used to create inscriptions on monuments, weapons, and jewelry.
- It was also used to cast runes, which was a form of divination used to predict the future or answer questions.
Question 3:
- What is the significance of the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc?
Answer:
- The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc is an important historical artifact that provides insights into the culture and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons.
- It is a valuable resource for linguists, historians, and anyone interested in the study of runes.
- The Futhorc has also had a significant impact on modern culture, inspiring works of art, literature, and music.
Well, there you have it, folks! A crash course on the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc runes. I hope you’ve found this little adventure into the past as fascinating as I have. Remember, these runes were more than just symbols; they were a way of connecting with the ancient world and tapping into its wisdom. So, whether you’re just curious about history or looking to deepen your understanding of our shared cultural heritage, keep exploring! And be sure to swing by again soon for more enlightening musings on the mysteries of this enchanting world. Thanks for reading!