rúnir

Rúnir, often translated as "runes," are letters from a set of related alphabets known as runic alphabets. These alphabets were used to write Germanic languages before the adoption of the Latin alphabet and for special purposes thereafter. The earliest runic alphabet is known as the Elder Futhark, and its use is documented from around the 2nd century CE. Later Germanic peoples developed their own runic alphabets, such as the Younger Futhark used by the Norse and Anglo-Saxons, and the Anglo-Frisian Futhorc.

The shapes of runes are thought to have been inspired by Latin or Greek letters, but their meanings and symbolic associations are deeply rooted in Germanic culture and mythology. Beyond their use as a writing system, runes were also believed to possess magical or mystical properties. They were inscribed on objects for various purposes, including protection, luck, and to convey blessings or curses. Each rune had a name and a phonetic value, and these names often carried symbolic meaning related to concepts like natural phenomena, deities, or human experiences. The study of runes is known as runology, and it draws upon archaeology, linguistics, and history to understand their origins, usage, and cultural significance.