![\"Odinofrer](\"https:\/\/avaldsnes.info\/content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/296PX-1.jpg\")
<\/a>Odin sacrifices himself on the world tree Yggdrasil and discovers the runes .(Ill. Lorenz Fr\u00f8lich, 1895)<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n
Text Marit Synn\u00f8ve Vea<\/span><\/p>\n RUNES<\/strong> A more prosaic explanation is that the runes were developed in the firsth century AD, possibly inspired by the Latin alphabet. Although used by all Germanic peoples, most of them, however, are discovered in Scandinavia. Runes have a form such that they are easy to carve into a hard material. Note that one does not write but rather carves a rune.<\/p>\n Runes were carved on weapons, tools, jewellery, amulets, bones, pieces of wood, memorial stones, church walls etc.<\/p>\n Sometimes the runic inscription is read from left to right, sometimes from right to left.<\/p>\n Runes constitute contemporary documentation, but it can be difficult to decipher the runes and there are often several interpretations of an inscription.<\/p>\n The elder Futhark<\/p><\/div>\n THERE ARE SEVERAL RUNIC ALPHABETS <\/strong> In addition, there is a sequence of local variants. Runic script existed simultaneously with the Latin alphabet and was in use up the 1500s. In Dalarne in Sweden, a particular type of runic script was in use up until approximately 1900.<\/p>\n The elder Futhark: <\/strong>24 characters. These were in use from approx. 100 to 800 AD.\u00a0 <\/strong> Two variations of the younger Futhark.<\/p><\/div>\n RUNES CAN BE BOTH MAGIC SYMBOLS AND ALPHABETIC LETTERS<\/strong> Example: Medieval runes<\/p><\/div>\n RUNES USED AS LETTERS <\/strong> Runes carved in wood <\/strong> Carved on a bucket found in the Oseberg Ship are the words asikriR<\/em> which translates as “Sigrid owns”. Was Sigrid the name of one of the women buried in the Oseberg ship?<\/p>\n An inscription found in Gol Stave Church, Bygd\u00f8y says: \u00a0Kyss \u00e1 mik, \u00fev\u00edat ek erfi\u00f0a<\/em>. = \u00a0“Kiss me because I am troubled”.<\/p>\n At Bryggen in Bergen<\/strong>, a series of runic inscriptions were discovered that provide insight into the daily life of people in the Middle Ages.<\/p>\n Some examples: Another inscription says: Love poetry<\/u>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong> How I love another man\u2019s wife<\/em> Another rune stick has this inscription: Runes about voyages:<\/span> Runes used in mercantile activities<\/u>. <\/strong> Gossip and boasting<\/u>: <\/strong> Shield-handle mount of silver from Illerup, approximately 250 AD, with the runic inscription Lagu\u00feewa \/ Lagu\u00feewaR<\/em>. The personal name can mean sea-servant or law-servant. (Photo Nationalmuseets database, danske runeindskrifter)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n A wife\u2019s message:<\/u> Runes carved into metal\u00a0 <\/strong> The following is inscribed on a silver neck ring dating from around 1000 AD found in Senja in Troms County: F\u00f3rum drengja Fr\u00edslands \u00e1 vit ok v\u00edgs f\u00f3tum v\u00e9r skiptum.<\/em> This translates as: “We travelled to meet the valiant men of Frisia (and) we divided the spoils of the fight.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Runes used on memorial stones <\/strong> One of three runestones used as building material in H\u00e4llestad church. (Photo Wikimedia Commons)<\/p><\/div>\n During the 5th century, a grieving father in Rogaland County carved the following words into a stone in order commemorate his son: \u00abHaduleik rests here. I, Hagustald, buried my son\u201d. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n In the late 10th Century, a rune stone was erected in H\u00e4llestad, Sweden in memory of a fallen warrior:<\/p>\n \u00c1skell placed this stone in memory of T\u00f3ki Gormr’s son, to him a faithful lord. <\/em> Around 1050 a mother let these words be carved in memory of her daugther on the Dynnastone, Oppland Norway; “Gunnvor, Thrydrikr’s daughter, made the bridge in memory of her daughter Astridr. She was the handiest maiden in Hadeland.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n RUNES USED AS MAGICAL SYMBOLS<\/strong> Runic magic was used to foretell the future; as a form of protection; to cast spells; to cure illness; to bestow love etc.<\/p>\n Fibula with the runic inscription “alugod” followed by a swastika. From the third century. Found in V\u00e6rl\u00f8se, Danmark. Housed at the National Museum of Denmark. (Photo Bloodofox. Wikimedia Commons)<\/p><\/div>\n It could, however, be fairly risky if runes were carved by unskilled persons. In Egil\u2019s saga, we learn that a young girl has become ill because an infatuated suitor has carved runes on a whalebone in order to awaken her love. Egil finds the runes under the girl\u2019s bed. He scrapes the signs away and burns the whalebone and then carves new runes which he places under the girl\u2019s pillow, which lead her to make a recovery.<\/p>\n Egil then gives this warning:<\/p>\n Runes none should grave ever<\/em> SAGAS AND POEMS THAT TELL OF MAGICAL RUNES<\/strong> In the poem Sigrdr\u00edfum\u00e1l<\/em> (sayings of the victory-bringer), we learn how Sigurd F\u00e5vnesbane comes to the female warrior Sigrdrifa and asks her to dispense her wisdom to him. She then recites this prayer:<\/p>\n Copies of the Golden Horns of Gallehus in Southern Jutland, Denmak. The horns date to the early 5th century. One of the horns has a runic inscription interpreted as : \u00a0” I Hlewagastiz Holtijaz made the horn”.<\/em> It is uncertain if they originally were used as drinking-horns or lures. (Photo Malene Thyssen, Wikimedia Commons)<\/p><\/div>\n Hail, day!<\/em> Hail to the gods!<\/em> In the prayer we hear which characteristics she prays for Sigurd to be endowed with. These are: wisdom, eloquence, the ability to create poetry, and to be able to heal and cure illness. She then gives him a drink to toast with \u2013 a horn filled with mead, the drink of skaldic poetry \u2013 and teaches him runic magic.<\/p>\n Sigrdrifa tells of victory-runes (sigr\u00fanar<\/em>) that are to be carved onto various parts of a sword; of wave-runes (brimr\u00fanar)<\/em> that are to be carved into the side of a ship and onto oars in order to protect the crew; birth-runes (bjargr\u00fanar<\/em>) that shall be of assistance during childbirth such that new-born infants survive. Sigrdrifa also tells of branch-runes\/life-runes (limr\u00fanar)<\/em> \u00a0that can treat wounds and illness; of ale-runes (\u00f6lr\u00fanar<\/em>) that shall protect one against betrayal; of speech-runes (m\u00e1lr\u00fanar)<\/em> that foster eloquence and confidence; of thaught-runes (hugr\u00fanar<\/em>) that bestow wisdom.<\/p>\n CARVING MAGICAL INSCRIPTIONS <\/strong> We also find that runic formulas are carved as magical words or as extended invocations, without it being always so straightforward to interpret these formulae.<\/p>\n Runic incantations must have been in use well into the age of Christianity. Among other items discovered at Bryggen in Bergen is a six-sided rune stick from the later part of the 1300s where Odin is referred to in the following way:<\/p>\n I conjure you, Odin, with (paganism), the largest among devils.<\/em> Migration period golden bracteate witht he runic inscription “alu” and a swastika. From Gotland, Sweden.. (Photo Sigune, Wikimedia Commons)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n Simple words<\/span><\/em> Composite words<\/u> Several sentences\u00a0 <\/u> One suggested translation:<\/p>\n Panel 1: Part of the inscription on the Eggja stone. The stone was found with the written side downwards over a man’s grave.\u00a0(Photo Arild Nyb\u00f8)<\/p><\/div>\n Panel 2: Panel 3: The Hogganvik stone:<\/em> A mystical inscription found on a stone in 2009, Mandal, Norway. It was lying face down, but was probably erected as a memorial stone sometimes around 400 AD. Runologist James E. Knirk has translated the inscription like this:<\/p>\n Skelba-\u00feewaz\u2019s<\/em> [“Shaking-servant\u2019s” (personal name)] stone <\/em> RUNES ON A NITHING POLE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong> (\u2026) He took in his hand a hazel-pole, and went to a rocky eminence that looked inward to the mainland. Then he took a horse’s head and fixed it on the pole. After that, in solemn form of curse, he thus spoke: ‘Here set I up a curse-pole, and this curse I turn on king Eric and queen Gunnhilda. Here he turned the horse’s head landwards. This curse I turn also on the guardian-spirits who dwell in this land, that they may all wander astray, nor reach or find their home till they have driven out of the land king Eric and Gunnhilda.<\/em><\/p>\n This spoken, he planted the pole down in a rift of the rock, and let it stand there. The horse’s head he turned inwards to the mainland; but on the pole he cut runes, expressing the whole form of curse.<\/em><\/p>\n PROPHETIC RUNES<\/strong> They attach the highest importance to the taking of auspices and casting lots. Their usual procedure with the lot is simple. They cut off a branch from a nut-bearing tree and slice it into strips these they mark with different signs and throw them at random onto a white cloth. Then the state’s priest, if it is an official consultation, or the father of the family, in a private one, offers prayer to the gods and looking up towards heaven picks up three strips, one at a time, and, according to which sign they have previously been marked with, makes his interpretation. If the lots forbid an undertaking, there is no deliberation that day about the matter in question. If they allow it, further confirmation is required by taking auspices<\/em>. (Extract from Tacitus\u2019 Germania)<\/p>\n Bl\u00f3tsp\u00e1nn<\/em> \u2013 <\/strong>(wooden chips cast in blood)<\/strong> Of old the gods <\/em> About <\/strong>s<\/em><\/strong>ei\u00f0r<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(Norse magic) and volvas\u00a0<\/strong> See also:<\/strong><\/p>\n Runer – Store Norske Leksikon<\/a> Text Marit Synn\u00f8ve Vea RUNES Runes are woven into Norse religion and are closely associated with Norse magic (sei\u00f0r) and skaldic poetry. The runes were not invented. The old poem H\u00e1vam\u00e1l explains that Odin discovered the runes when he hung himself from the world tree Yggdrasil in order to learn wisdom. He hung on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":20,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n
\nRunes are woven into Norse religion and are closely associated with Norse magic (sei\u00f0r<\/em>) and skaldic poetry. The runes were not invented. The old poem H\u00e1vam\u00e1l explains that Odin discovered the runes when he hung himself from the world tree Yggdrasil in order to learn wisdom. He hung on the wind-blown tree for nine nights and days. Just as he was about to die, he found the runes, grabbed them and earned his life.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe two main types of runic alphabet are called the elder Futhark and the younger Futhark after the sequence of the first six runic letters. The runes of the Middle Ages are relatively similar to the younger Futhark, but are characterised by pricks that shall differentiate between individual sounds such, for example, as P and D.<\/p>\n
\nThe younger Futhark: <\/strong>16 characters. These were in use from approx. 800 AD to 1100 AD.
\nMedieval runes: <\/strong>23 runes. Used from approx. 1100 to 1500 AD.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nEach runic character represents a \u00abletter\u00bb such that they can be set together to form a word. The runes are also magical symbols, and each runic character has its own name and symbolic meaning.<\/p>\n
\nX = g. This rune bears the name gifa<\/em> and carries the symbolic meaning of gift\/partnership. This character carries references that relate to generosity and relations between people.
\nI = i. This rune is named is<\/em> and has the symbolic meaning of ice\/standstill, which signifies a static situation.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nSome examples:<\/p>\n
\nThe word litiluism <\/em>is carved on a wooden rod, perhaps part of an oar, in the Oseberg Ship. This is interpreted as meaning “Man knows little”<\/p>\n
\nRomantic messages<\/u>: <\/strong>
\nOn a vertebral of a cattle this request is carved: kyss mik<\/em>. “Kiss me.”<\/p>\n
\n\u00d3st min, kyss mik.<\/em> \u00a0“My love, kiss me.”<\/p>\n
\nThis love poem was inscribed on a square-edged rune stick:<\/p>\n
\nthe vast mountains will begin to sway before I\u2019ll forget her.<\/em>
\nEminent woman, we love each other so that the earth bursts apart.<\/em>
\nBefore I discard the wise woman, the raven shall<\/em>
\nbe white as the snow lying on the mountains.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRemember me,<\/em>
\nI remember you.
\nLove me,
\nI love you.<\/p>\n
\nCarved on a piece of wood:\u00a0H\u00e9r ferr Hafdjarfr\/hafdjarfr.<\/em>\u00a0“Here sails Hafdjarfr\/the seabold.”<\/p>\n
\nA rune stick tells the following: \u00abTorkel Mintmaster is sending you pepper\u00bb.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n
\nA man in Bergen put about some gossip, or perhaps he was just boasting, when he wrote: Ingibj\u00f6rg unni m\u00e9r \u00fe\u00e1 er ek var \u00ed Stafangri<\/em>. = Ingebj\u00f8rg loved me when I was in Stavanger<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nTo a man who possibly used a little too much time in the pub: Gy\u00f0a segir at \u00fe\u00fa gakk heim<\/em>. \u00a0= Gyda tells you to go home.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA bracteate of gold from the first half of 500’s, found in Sandnes in Rogaland, has an image of a human head and an inscription with the runes meaning T A U.<\/em> Probably the bracteate was carried around the neck like a good luck charm.<\/p>\n
\nThe runes on memorial stones were used in order to pay tribute to deceased persons, to show who had erected a bridge, who retained power in a certain area etc.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nHe did not flee at Uppsala.<\/em>
\nValiant men placed<\/em>
\nin memory of their brother <\/em>
\nthe stone on the hill, <\/em>
\nsteadied by runes. <\/em>
\nThey went closest to Gormr’s T\u00f3ki.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe word rune<\/span> means \u201csecret\u201d, \u201cmystery\u201d. In the sagas we learn that the word rune<\/span> is not just used about carved signs, but also for certain songs, magical formulas, secret skills, and for secrets hidden in skaldic poetry.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nWho knows not to read them;
\nOf dark spell full many
\nThe meaning may miss.
\nTen spell-words writ wrongly<\/em>
\nOn whale-bone were graven:<\/em>
\nWhence to leek-tending maiden,<\/em>
\nLong sorrow and pain.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIn the poem known as Rigstula<\/em> we learn that the youngest of Jarl\u2019s sons can only be called \u00abking\u00bb when he has become a Rune Master and has learned runic magic that heals wounds, calms cravings, quenches flames, pacifies storms, and allows him to understand birdsong.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nHail, sons of day!<\/em>
\nAnd night and her daughter now!<\/em>
\nLook on us here<\/em>
\nwith loving eyes,<\/em>
\nThat waiting we victory win.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nYe goddesses, hail,<\/em>
\nAnd all the generous earth!<\/em>
\nGive to us wisdom<\/em>
\nand goodly speech,<\/em>
\nAnd healing hands, life-long.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIn the available archaeological material we can find individual runes that are carved into weapons and jewellery. As an example, the Tiwaz rune (\u16cf)\u00a0<\/span>stands for victory and the Algiz rune (\u16c9<\/span>) stands for protection.<\/p>\n
\nGo with it. Tell me the name of the man who stole. For Christianity.<\/em>
\n Tell me now (your) lewdness. One mocks I, (secondly) is taunting me.<\/em>
\n Tell me, Odin! Now (amounts of devils?) conjured up with all (paganism).<\/em>
\n You should now obtain me the name of whoever stole. (Amen.)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nOne of the words that must have had a special meaning is alu<\/em>, which is found on amulets, bracteates, and on stones. Among others, it has been found on a bronze plate discovered at Fosse in Rogaland County. Some sources mean that alu<\/em> is a magic spell formula that shall keep evil spirits at bay, while others mean that alu<\/em> means ale, a drink that is often used in conjunction with rituals.<\/p>\n
\nAt Meland in Nordhordaland County, a scraping knife has been discovered that is inscribed with the following: lina laukaR f<\/em>. This translates as flax \u2013 onien \u2013 F . Flax and onions were used in fertility rituals. We are aware of this from, among others, the story of the sacrifice in Volsetotten. <\/em>The F-rune (Fehu<\/em>) that comes last, has the symbolic meaning – livestock or riches.<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nThe Eggja Stone:<\/em> The longest inscription that exists in Norway featuring runes from the elder Futhark period is to be found on the Eggja Stone that dates from around 600 AD. The stone slab lay on top of a grave with the rune side facing downwards. Several interpretations exist.<\/p>\n
\nNo sun sought and no sax stone scarred<\/em>
\nNo man laid it nude as the ni\u00fe runs<\/em>
\nNo bewildered men lay it aside<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nHither stone the man stained with corpse-sea, made thus oarpins in the bearing-worn boat<\/em>
\nWhom as came harrier-god here to go\u00f0’s land?<\/em>
\nFishlike, out of river-fear swimming, as bird, our of f(?) crowing<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAlu<\/em> \u00a0(Protection against the wrong-doer<\/em>)<\/p>\n
\naaasrpkf <\/em>(letters used as an incantation).
\nI<\/em> [=the rune carver] [am called] Naudigastiz<\/em> [=”Need-guest” (personal name)]; (name of the Runecarver)
\nI<\/em>, [nicknamed] the Wolverine.<\/em>
\naarpaa<\/em> (letters used as an incantation)? Within\/From within the ? wheel-nave\/?cabin-corner<\/em> [or: ?needle]. (Place)<\/p>\n
\nEgil Skallagrimsson carved runes on a nithing pole that he had erected against Eirik Bloodaxe. A nithing pole is a horse\u2019s head that can cast shame and curses. Egil\u2019s saga tells about this:<\/p>\n
\nIn the sagas we learn that runes were used to foretell the future. We hear of rune casting and of wooden chips used for magical or ritual purposes, but it is unclear how these rituals were enacted. We can possibly obtain one indication from the Roman historian, Tacitus (approx. 100 AD) who said of the Germanic people that they maintain the custom of forewarning and prophecy by casting lots\/casting sticks containing different signs.<\/p>\n
\nAncient sagas and poems tell that wooden chips could be cast in bowls containing blood from sacrificed animals. This ritual was performed in order to obtain warnings and to see into the future. The poem known as Lay of Hymir mentions twigs and blood in the same verse. This can mean that wooden chips or twigs were carved with runes prior to being cast into the bowl.<\/p>\n
\nmade feast together,<\/em>
\nAnd drink they sought <\/em>
\nere sated they were;<\/em>
\nTwigs they shook, <\/em>
\nand blood they tried:<\/em>
\nRich fare in \u00c6gir’s <\/em>
\nhall they found<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSee Viking women<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSamnordisk runtextdatabas<\/a>
\nNorges Indskrifter med de \u00e6ldre Runer. (Sophus Bugge, 1891-1903 )<\/a>
\nNorges innskrifter med de yngre runer (Magnus Olsen 1954)<\/a>
\nDanske runeindskrifter, Nationalmuseet<\/a>
\nArild Hauges Runer<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"