Runic

Runic refers to runes, the letters of several related alphabets used by Germanic-speaking peoples of northern Europe from late antiquity into the Middle Ages. The scripts were primarily carved in stone, wood, metal and other durable materials, and are characterized by straight, angular strokes suited to carving with a knife or chisel. The name runic derives from the Old Norse runr or the Proto-Germanic root rune-, meaning "secret" or "mystery," a reflection of early beliefs about their magical or divinatory properties.

The best-known runic systems are Elder Futhark (24 signs) used roughly from the 2nd to 8th centuries; Younger Futhark (16 signs) used in the Viking Age; and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (extending to about 28–33 signs) used in England from the 5th to the 11th centuries. These alphabets were adapted to different languages and regions, leading to regional variants and evolving symbol sets.

Use: Inscriptions record names, ownership, deeds, memorials, and magical or protective functions. Archaeological finds include stone monuments, swords, pins and combs. Despite their practical use, runes also carried ritual associations in some contexts, and the belief in magical properties persisted in various forms into later periods.

Today, runic study—runology—focuses on decipherment, linguistic analysis and historical context. The term runic has also entered modern culture, influencing literature, art, and neopagan practices, though such uses are distinct from scholarly research.