dagaz

Dagaz is a rune of the Elder Futhark, representing the concept of day or daytime. Its name comes from the Proto-Germanic word *dagaz-*, meaning “day,” and it is cognate with Old Norse dagr and English day. The phonetic value of Dagaz is commonly rendered as the consonant d.

Glyph and position: Dagaz is typically depicted as a symmetrical, diamond-shaped glyph, often described as a lozenge or two joined triangles with a central axis. In many traditional rune orders, Dagaz appears toward the end of the Elder Futhark, marking a transition point rather than a simple standalone letter.

Meaning and symbolism: Dagaz embodies daylight, dawn, clarity, and breakthroughs. It is associated with turning points, balance, and the integration of opposites (day and night, light and dark). The rune can signify insight, reconciliation, or the resolution of a situation, as well as new beginnings arising from an ending.

Usage and interpretation: In historical inscriptions, Dagaz is read as the letter d and interpreted within the broader context of the surrounding runes. In modern runic divination and neopagan practice, upright Dagaz commonly suggests clarity, successful change, and the realization of goals, while reversed readings may indicate delay, confusion, or resistance to change.

In culture and study: Dagaz is widely attested across Germanic-speaking regions in runic inscriptions and has been incorporated into contemporary rune sets and interpretation guides, where it continues to symbolize the moment of transition from one state to another.