runes

Viking alphabet symbols

Runes are the letters of alphabets used by ancient Germanic peoples, including Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.

The angular characters were designed for carving into wood or stone.

Because runes appear on amulets and in mystical contexts, the word carries associations with magic and divination: casting runes, reading the runes.

In fantasy games and fiction, runes are symbols of magical power: The sword was inscribed with ancient runes.

writing

inscription

Text permanently marked

scriptWritten words for performance
alphabetLanguage's letter system
glyphsCarved symbolic figures

characters · letters · epigraphy · orthography · calligraphy · transcription · decipherment · carving · etching · staves

Norse

Vikings

Medieval Scandinavian seafarers

OdinChief Norse deity
Anglo-SaxonPre-Conquest British Germanic peoples
NorsemenMedieval Scandinavian warriors

saga · Valhalla · Asgard · Thor · Freya · Loki · Heimdall · Midgard · Bifrost · Ragnarok

symbols

glyph

Visual form of character

markVisible impression or sign
signMark conveying information
ideogramSymbol representing concept directly

emblem

mystical

magic

Supernatural or illusory power

arcaneUnderstood by few
occultConcealed from view
esotericAccessible to few

mystique · secrets · hidden · ancient · sacred · enchantment · spells · charms · talismans · amulets

divination

oracle

Authoritative wisdom source

castingShaping through liquid form
readingInterpreting written text
prophecyForetelling of future events

omens · fortune-telling · lots · interpretation · spreads · Norns · fate · destiny · guidance · intuition

runes

inscription

Vikings

glyph

magic

oracle

runes

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family