All 24 Runes

What are runes? The Elder Futhark

Runes are the letters of the Germanic languages, long before the Latin alphabet reached the north. The oldest complete row is called the Elder Futhark — named after its first six signs F, U, Th, A, R, K. It has 24 runes, and each one is a sound, a name and an image at once: Fehu (ᚠ) means cattle and stands for wealth, Isa (ᛁ) means ice and stands for stillness.

For readings, people use the same signs today: you draw one or three runes and read their images as a mirror for a question. It works much like a tarot card — only more pared down. A rune has three or four keywords instead of a whole scene, and that is exactly what makes it easy for beginners: there is little to memorise before you start.

The three ættir

The 24 runes are arranged in three groups of eight, the ættir (singular: ætt). Each carries the name of a deity and has its own base theme:

• Freyr's Aett (1–8) — possessions, strength and beginnings — the things you can touch. From Fehu (ᚠ) to Wunjo (ᚹ).
• Heimdall's Aett (9–16) — forces that come from outside: hail, need, ice, fate. From Hagalaz (ᚺ) to Sowilo (ᛊ).
• Tyr's Aett (17–24) — people, relationships, heritage — what lasts. From Tiwaz (ᛏ) to Dagaz (ᛞ).

Upright and reversed

When a rune lands upside down, it is called merkstave. Its meaning then shifts — often towards blocked. But that only applies to 16 of the 24 runes. 8 signs look the same either way up and so have no reversed reading: Gebo, Hagalaz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Sowilo, Ingwaz, Dagaz.

How to cast

1. 1Phrase an open question, not a yes/no one: "What do I need for the talk with my boss?" instead of "Will it go well?".
2. 2Draw one rune for a quick answer or three for situation, obstacle and next step — you can do that right at the top of this page.
3. 3Read the keywords first, then the full meaning, and ask yourself: where do I recognise this right now — and where not?

All 24 runes at a glance

Runes, numbers, cards

Runes are one of several tools we offer side by side. If you like working with numbers, calculate your life-path number; if you prefer images, draw a daily tarot card. And for a look at the stars there is the free birth chart.

What is the Elder Futhark?

The Elder Futhark is the oldest runic alphabet — 24 symbols arranged in three groups of eight ("ættir"). Each rune stands for an everyday force, from wealth to change.

Can runes appear reversed?

Most runes carry a shifted meaning when reversed. Eight runes are symmetric and have no reversed reading — each rune page tells you which.

How do I read a rune?

Read the short meaning first, then love, career and the yes/no tilt. Notice whether the rune is upright or reversed — that shifts the message.

How many runes are there?

The Elder Futhark has 24 runes in three ættir of eight: Freyr's Ætt (Fehu to Wunjo), Heimdall's Ætt (Hagalaz to Sowilo) and Tyr's Ætt (Tiwaz to Dagaz). Later rows such as the Younger Futhark have fewer signs; readings almost always use the Elder one.

Which runes have no reversed meaning?

The 8 symmetric runes: Gebo, Hagalaz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Sowilo, Ingwaz, Dagaz. They look the same either way up.