skriftir

Skriftir, also known as Icelandic runes, are a form of writing used in Iceland from the 13th century until the 18th century. They are a variant of the Younger Futhark, a set of runic alphabets used in Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Skriftir were used for a variety of purposes, including legal documents, religious texts, and personal correspondence.

The Icelandic runes are unique in that they were used in a phonetic script, meaning that each rune represented a specific sound. This is in contrast to the older Elder Futhark, which was used more for divination and magic. The Icelandic runes were written from left to right, and each rune was typically accompanied by a vowel mark to indicate the pronunciation.

Skriftir were used in Iceland until the 18th century, when they were gradually replaced by the Latin alphabet. However, they continue to be used today in a variety of contexts, including as a form of artistic expression and as a symbol of Icelandic culture. The Icelandic runes are also used in the design of the Icelandic flag, which features a cross made up of the runes for "I" and "C".

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in skriftir, with many Icelanders learning to read and write in the runes. This has led to the development of a new form of Icelandic literature, written in skriftir, as well as a renewed appreciation for the cultural significance of the runes.