runei

Runai, also known as rune or rûn, are characters that form alphabetic writing systems known collectively as runic alphabets. These alphabets were used by Germanic peoples for nearly two millennia, for various purposes including inscriptions on monuments, jewelry, weapons, and tools. The exact origin of the runes is debated, but they are widely believed to have developed from the Latin alphabet or other Italic scripts around the 1st or 2nd century CE.

The most well-known runic alphabet is the Elder Futhark, consisting of 24 runes. Later, the Younger Futhark emerged with fewer runes, and its variations were used in Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Other runic alphabets, such as the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, developed in England. Runes were not just a writing system; they were often imbued with magical or divinatory significance. Each rune was associated with a name, a meaning, and a phonetic value.

The use of runes declined with the spread of Christianity and the adoption of the Latin alphabet in most of Europe. However, runes continued to be used in some regions, particularly in Sweden and other parts of Scandinavia, for decorative or commemorative purposes until the early 20th century. Today, runic inscriptions are valuable historical and linguistic artifacts, offering insights into the cultures, beliefs, and languages of the ancient Germanic peoples. Runes have also experienced a resurgence in modern times through neopaganism and fantasy literature, where they are often used symbolically.