The History of Runes: From Writing to Divination
Runes are far older than their modern use in divination. Their story runs from the early Germanic peoples through the Viking Age and into today's revival.
Early origins
The Elder Futhark appears from around the 2nd century CE among Germanic peoples, likely influenced by older Mediterranean alphabets. Runes were carved, not written with ink.
The Viking Age
Later runic alphabets, like the Younger Futhark, were used across Scandinavia for inscriptions on stones, memorials and objects during the Viking Age.
Magic and meaning
Runes carried symbolic and protective associations from early on, mentioned in Norse sagas and poems — the root of their later use as an oracle.
The modern revival
Today runes are best known as a divination system. Explore them with our rune tools and meanings.