by Chris Ayliffe, Arctic Meta
If you’ve ever wandered through Iceland’s moss-draped lava fields or traced your fingers across the weathered symbols carved into a centuries-old stone, you might have felt it — the pull of ancient secrets hidden in plain sight.
Runes are more than just mysterious symbols used in fantasy novels, tattoos, or Norse-inspired jewellery.
They are the alphabets of early Germanic societies — a tangible link to a world of warriors, travellers, storytellers, and mystics.
Here at the Panorama Glass Lodge, where the modern meets the mythic, we believe that exploring Iceland’s history also means understanding the characters that once shaped its stones and sagas.
In this guide, we shed light on the real runes: what they were, where they came from, and how they continue to echo across Northern Europe.
What Are Runes?
Runes are characters from early Germanic alphabets used primarily in Northern Europe before the widespread adoption of the Latin script.
Their origins can be traced as far back as 150 CE, with usage lasting well into the medieval period in some regions.
But runes weren’t just used to write messages or mark belongings — they held spiritual weight.
They were carved into weapons, stones, amulets, and memorials, often doubling as symbols of protection, communication, and mysticism.
Many scholars believe the word „rune“ comes from the Proto-Germanic rūnō, meaning „secret“ or „whisper.“
Fitting, for alphabets that still whisper across the windswept ridges of the North.
The Elder Futhark (c. 150–800 CE)
The Elder Futhark is the oldest known runic alphabet, used by early Germanic tribes across vast swathes of Northern and Central Europe, including the ancestors of modern Scandinavians and Germans.
Its name is derived from its first six characters — F, U, Þ (thorn), A, R, and K — a naming convention similar to how the word „alphabet“ originates from the Greek letters alpha and beta.
This sequence gives the alphabet its characteristic label: Futhark.
The Elder Futhark consists of 24 distinct runes. Each was designed with sharp, angular lines that made them ideal for carving into hard surfaces such as wood, bone, or stone using primitive tools.
These shapes were not merely practical — their geometric simplicity also carried symbolic meaning in many early Germanic cultures.
Most surviving Elder Futhark inscriptions are brief and functional.
They typically consist of names, short commemorative phrases, or declarations of ownership, often engraved on personal items like brooches, weapons, tools, and stones.
These messages were usually direct, but their meanings could also contain layers of symbolic or magical intent, especially when linked to funerary or ritual contexts.
This runic system is most commonly associated with the Migration Period (c. 300–700 CE), a time when various Germanic tribes were on the move across Europe, reshaping cultural and political boundaries.
The Elder Futhark spread across what is now Germany, Scandinavia, and the wider North Sea region, and is often found on artefacts discovered in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and northern Germany.
The alphabet marks the foundation of later runic systems.
It served as the basis for both the Viking Age Younger Futhark and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (don’t worry, we’ll explain that too), evolving in different ways as the Germanic peoples adapted to changing languages and cultural influences.
Today, the Elder Futhark is celebrated not only as an ancient writing system but also as a potent symbol of Old Norse identity and the deep, myth-infused history of the Germanic world.
The Younger Futhark (c. 800–1100 CE)
As Viking society expanded and evolved, so did its writing system.
Around 800 CE, a new runic alphabet emerged — the Younger Futhark. This became the dominant script throughout Scandinavia during the Viking Age.
What surprises many historians and enthusiasts alike is that this newer alphabet actually reduced the number of characters from 24 in the Elder Futhark to just 16 in the Younger Futhark.
This streamlining didn’t reflect a simplification of the language, however. Old Norse, the language of the Vikings, had become even more phonetically complex (and, believe me, Icelandic in the modern day is no easy picnic to learn either!)
This meant that the 16 characters had to represent a wider array of sounds, leading to more abstract or symbolic use of runes.
It required a high level of contextual understanding, resulting in a script that was both efficient and, at times, ambiguous – much like a modern-day ‘thumbs up’ emoji text from your Dad to literally anything.
Readers needed to rely heavily on surrounding words and meanings to interpret inscriptions accurately.
The Younger Futhark developed into two distinct regional variants:
- Long-branch runes: These were typically used in Denmark and were more ornate in appearance, making them easier to carve into stone monuments with vertical, sweeping lines.
- Short-twig runes: Found predominantly in Sweden and Norway, these were more compact and angular, designed to be more practical for carving into wood and smaller stone surfaces.
This alphabet became the visual and cultural signature of the Viking Age.
Thousands of runestones across Scandinavia (especially in Sweden) bear inscriptions in Younger Futhark.
These were not casual graffiti; they were lasting messages etched into stone, meant to honour the dead, assert lineage, commemorate deeds, or define territorial claims.
Often, these runic texts were accompanied by intricate carvings of beasts, ships, or interwoven designs — making them not only messages but works of art.
Even in death, Viking voices spoke clearly through the carved language of runes — proud, poetic, and eternal.
The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (c. 400–1100 CE)
As Germanic tribes migrated to the British Isles during the early centuries of the Common Era, they carried with them the Elder Futhark. This was the foundational runic alphabet used across northern Europe.
Once in the British Isles, this script evolved into what we now call the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc.
Unlike its predecessor, the Futhorc was tailored to suit the phonetic needs of the Old English language, which was rich in sounds that the original 24 Elder Futhark runes could not adequately represent (….but, probably still not as confusing as Cockney rhyming slang).
To accommodate this linguistic complexity, the Futhorc expanded to 28 characters and eventually to 33, allowing for a more precise written representation of the spoken language.
This runic alphabet became deeply embedded in the material culture of Anglo-Saxon England and Frisia.
Its characters appear not only on jewellery and amulets but also in manuscripts and monumental carvings, such as the Ruthwell Cross in present-day Scotland — one of the most famous runic inscriptions in the British Isles.
What sets the Futhorc apart from other runic systems is its prolonged use even after the Christianisation of Britain.
As the Latin alphabet became dominant, runes didn’t disappear immediately. Instead, they coexisted for centuries, with some religious manuscripts and poems containing both scripts.
This unique hybrid usage of Latin and runes reflects a cultural crossroads – one where spiritual tradition met literary innovation, and ancient symbols continued to thrive in a changing world.
The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc remains a powerful example of how runes could adapt and evolve, reflecting not only phonetic needs but also deeper shifts in belief, identity, and artistic expression.
It’s worth noting for the lesser-language geeks out there, that the evolution of language construction is a constant.
All of the world’s languages continue to fluctuate and change to the modern world’s demands, with many dominant ones (e.g., English) influencing lesser-spoke languages (e.g., Icelandic). You’ll notice this walking the streets of Reykjavík, hearing the children in-dispersing some English phrases within Icelandic sentences like „for the win!“
Þetta reddast! (It’ll work out!)
What Were Runes Used For?
Runes weren’t just for writing, they also served practical, ceremonial, and mystical roles:
Communication
Runes were commonly used for straightforward inscriptions such as names, short declarations, and ownership marks.
These often appeared on personal belongings, tools, weapons, and everyday objects.
In a time when literacy was limited and permanence mattered, carving a name in stone or wood was a powerful act of identity and claim.
Magic & Ritual
Many runic inscriptions were created with magical intent.
Runes were believed to offer protection, healing, and blessings — or, in darker cases, curses.
The Björketorp Runestone in Sweden famously warns of a deadly curse for anyone who dares to disturb it.
These magical inscriptions were often linked to Norse cosmology and the belief in unseen forces shaping the world.
Memorials
Especially during the Viking Age, runestones were erected in memory of loved ones, warriors, or leaders.
These runic messages served both as grave markers and as declarations of honour or legacy.
Some included prayers or poetic tributes, while others were more factual – stating who died, who commissioned the stone, and what the deceased achieved in life.
Navigation & Trade
Runes were also found on ships, chests, and traded items, indicating ownership or messages associated with travel and commerce.
Merchants and seafarers would carve runes to protect their journeys or to mark contractual agreements in a portable and semi-permanent way.
Divination (later use)
Although not originally used for fortune telling, runes were adopted into divinatory practices during the modern pagan revival in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, rune sets are sold for symbolic readings and spiritual guidance – a reinterpretation of their cultural power, albeit not one rooted in historical Viking practice.
Misconceptions and Modern Use
Today, runes enjoy a pop-culture renaissance by appearing on everything from jewellery and T-shirts to divination sets and fantasy gaming runes.
Yet, not all representations of runes in the modern world are accurate reflections of their historical origins.
One common misconception stems from the sets of rune stones often found in metaphysical shops or spiritual boutiques.
These sets (marketed for divination or fortune telling) are largely the product of 19th- and 20th-century romanticism, particularly inspired by esoteric movements that reinterpreted ancient symbols through the lens of mysticism and occultism.
In truth, there is little evidence to suggest that historical Norse or Germanic societies used runes in the structured divinatory systems we see today.
Many of the symbols now associated with New Age spirituality were never part of the original runic alphabets.
Modern rune sets sometimes include characters that were invented or borrowed from unrelated sources to fill gaps in symbolic meaning or to fit contemporary spiritual frameworks – that’s right T-shirt manufacturers, we see you!
Runes have also gained widespread traction in pop culture, appearing in:
- Tattoos, often stylised or arranged to form personal sigils or affirmations.
- Fantasy fiction, most famously in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, who based his invented scripts on real-world runes.
- Modern Norse neopagan traditions, where runes are used in rituals, meditations, and spiritual texts as tools for identity, remembrance, or magic.
While this renewed interest can serve as a gateway into deeper cultural exploration, it’s important to draw a line between inspired use and historical authenticity.
The runes of old were not created for casting spells, predicting futures, or constructing mystical cosmologies.
They were practical tools, etched with intention and often linked to memory, ownership, commemoration, and the sacred art of communication.
Their true magic lies not in modern interpretations, but in the echoes they leave behind – carved into stone, echoing through time, and still sparking curiosity across the world.
Continue the Journey at Panorama Glass Lodge
Staying at the Panorama Glass Lodge means sleeping under the stars, but also under the myths.
Whether you’re nestled beneath the Northern Lights or watching mist rise over lava fields, there’s a sense of timelessness here that invites you to dream beyond the ordinary.
Our soon Viking-style elf houses and curated collection of Nordic literature aren’t just decorative — they’re designed to immerse you in Iceland’s ancient rhythms.
Every stone, every shadow, and every gust of wind seems to carry the voices of old – voices that once carved runes into stone to leave behind love, grief, honour, and warning.
Want to dive deeper into the world of Norse myth?
We’d recommend having a read through one of the following to dive even deeper into the world of runes:
- Runes: A Handbook by Michael P. Barnes
- Runes and Runic Inscriptions by Raymond Page
- The Viking Spirit by Daniel McCoy
We also recommend a visit to the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavík, where real runestones and rune-inscribed artefacts offer a physical connection to the stories shared here.
The truth about runes is far more fascinating than fiction. Filled with history, ritual, and the shared hopes of those who walked these lands long before us, a brief education can really bring Iceland even more to life in ways often unseen.
And when you’re in a place where sagas once echoed in the wind – truth and myth feel very close indeed.
Conclusion
Runes are more than just symbols; they are echoes of entire worlds – systems of writing, belief, and meaning carved into the very landscape of Northern Europe.
Understanding the differences between the Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc isn’t just about decoding old alphabets. It’s about appreciating the evolution of language and the ways humans preserve their values, commemorate their dead, and communicate with the divine.
At the Panorama Glass Lodge, we invite you to connect not only with Iceland’s natural beauty but also with the deeper stories that continue to shape its soul.
Whether you’re a history lover, a curious traveller, or someone seeking a little magic in your journey, the runes are a perfect entry point into Iceland’s ancient past.
They’re waiting in the stones.
All you have to do is look closer.