Raidho

Raidho is a rune of the Elder Futhark and its later descendants, the Younger Futhark. It represents the phoneme r and is associated with movement, travel, and process. The name comes from Old Norse reið, meaning ride, journey, or chariot, and is linked to Proto-Germanic *raidō, related to the English ride and the concept of travel.

Symbol and glyphs commonly depict Raidho as a vertical line with a diagonal stroke, and in some inscriptions it is interpreted as a wheel or a driving carriage. This visual association reinforces its meanings of motion, rhythm, and progression, whether in a literal journey or in the development of a project or skill.

Meaning and usage in interpretation centers on movement and timing. Raidho often signals that a journey or transition is underway, suggesting the need for order, discipline, and a steady rhythm to maintain progress. In divination and modern practice, it can indicate travel, relocation, or the advancement of plans, as well as the importance of pacing and alignment with a planned path.

Historical context and modern use: the rune appears in inscriptions across Germanic-speaking regions from the 2nd through the 8th centuries CE. In contemporary contexts, Raidho is used in runic calendars, divination, and neopagan or esoteric traditions, where it continues to symbolize motion, direction, and purposeful movement within a larger life journey.