Rune Meanings
Meanings of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark with interpretations: the upright meaning and, for sixteen of the runes, the reversed one, the meaning in relationships and in practical affairs, and the rune’s advice. The order is traditional — by the three aettir, groups of eight signs each.
First Aett: Fehu to Wunjo
Eight runes about material things and the start of an undertaking.
Fehu property · Uruz strength · Thurisaz protection and threat · Ansuz word · Raidho journey · Kenaz craft · Gebo gift · Wunjo joy
Second Aett: Hagalaz to Sowilo
Eight runes about trials and things beyond a person’s control.
Hagalaz hail · Nauthiz need · Isa ice · Jera harvest · Eihwaz yew · Perthro mystery · Algiz protective charm · Sowilo sun
Third Aett: Tiwaz to Othala
Eight runes about people, kin, and completion.
Tiwaz justice · Berkano growth · Ehwaz moving as a pair · Mannaz humankind · Laguz water · Ingwaz completion · Dagaz dawn · Othala heritage
Runes with No Reversed Position
Eight signs are symmetrical in shape: Gebo, Hagalaz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Sowilo, Ingwaz, Dagaz. If they come up, only the upright meaning is read.
Strictly speaking, the rune Nauthiz doesn’t change when turned either, so some runologists also read it only upright. Like many modern runologists, we give a reversed meaning for Nauthiz as well.
The blank rune stands apart — it doesn’t exist in the historical Futhark and first appeared in 20th-century rune sets.
How to Use the Table
If you’ve already drawn a rune, open its page and start with the short meaning. If not, draw a rune or draw three.
The meanings are based on the rune poems and established practice; schools do differ, especially in how they interpret Perthro and Eihwaz.