All 24 Elder Futhark Runes: The Complete Reference (2026)
Table of Contents
The Elder Futhark is the oldest known runic alphabet, in use across Scandinavia and Germanic Europe from roughly 150 CE until the Viking Age. It has exactly 24 runes, and every one of them is a letter, a sound, and a meaning in one.
The Three Aettir
The 24 runes are divided into three aettir (families) of eight runes each, named after the gods that rule them: Freyr's aett, Hagal's aett, and Tyr's aett. The division is not decoration: it is a mnemonic device that makes all 24 easier to learn and to cast.
- Freyr's aett (runes 1-8): Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kenaz, Gebo, Wunjo. Themes of wealth, beginnings, and blessing.
- Hagal's aett (runes 9-16): Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Perthro, Algiz, Sowilo. Themes of challenge, cycles, and protection.
- Tyr's aett (runes 17-24): Tiwaz, Berkana, Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz, Ingwaz, Dagaz, Othala. Themes of justice, growth, and legacy.
All 24 Runes, Aett by Aett
| Rune | Name | Sound | Core Meaning | Practical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fehu | F | Cattle, wealth | Money, movable wealth, gain | Prosperity work and starting ventures |
| Uruz | U | Aurochs, wild ox | Strength, raw power, health | Recovery and courage work |
| Thurisaz | TH | Thorn, giant | Defense, conflict, catalyst | Protection and clearing obstacles |
| Ansuz | A | God, breath | Communication, wisdom | Speech, writing, advice |
| Raidho | R | Ride, journey | Travel, rhythm, right action | Journey and legal matters |
| Kenaz | K | Torch | Fire, creation, clarity | Creative work and revelation |
| Gebo | G | Gift | Exchange, partnership | Relationships and contracts |
| Wunjo | W | Joy | Bliss, harmony, belonging | Healing joy and celebration |
| Hagalaz | H | Hail | Disruption, transformation | Breaking old patterns |
| Nauthiz | N | Need | Constraint, endurance | Patience and need-fire work |
| Isa | I | Ice | Stillness, freeze | Pausing and focus |
| Jera | J | Year, harvest | Cycles, reward | Long-term projects and patience |
| Eihwaz | EI | Yew tree | Endurance, death and rebirth | Protection and transition |
| Perthro | P | Lot cup | Chance, mystery, fate | Divination and secrets |
| Algiz | Z | Elk, protection | Defense, higher self | Protection and shielding |
| Sowilo | S | Sun | Victory, success, light | Success and clarity work |
| Tiwaz | T | Tyr, justice | Honor, victory in law | Justice and fair conflict |
| Berkana | B | Birch | Growth, birth, nurture | New beginnings and family |
| Ehwaz | E | Horse | Trust, partnership, movement | Cooperation and transport |
| Mannaz | M | Human | Self, society, mind | Self-work and community |
| Laguz | L | Water | Flow, intuition, emotion | Intuitive work and healing |
| Ingwaz | NG | Ing, seed | Potential, fertility | Stored power and completion |
| Dagaz | D | Day | Breakthrough, dawn | Big shifts and awakening |
| Othala | O | Estate, heritage | Ancestry, home, inheritance | Property and family legacy |
How to Use This List
Use this table three ways: as a lookup when a rune appears in a reading, as a study sheet when you learn the aettir, and as a casting aid when you want to move past the single-draw beginner pattern. The meaning column is the core meaning; context and question always refine it.
Common Misreadings
- Inverted meanings: some traditions read reversed runes, others do not. Pick one and stay consistent.
- Sound vs. meaning: Fehu is both F and wealth. Beginners often collapse the two; they are separate layers.
- Thurisaz is not purely evil: it is a thorn, a defensive and catalytic force, not a curse.
- Algiz is protection, not a giant elk in divination; the animal name is the mnemonic, not the meaning.
FAQ
Ready for the full experience?
These guides work with pen and paper, but a digital tool makes them faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to memorize all 24 to read runes?
No. Most daily readers start with three to five runes and build out. The app and this list cover the rest when they appear.
Are there more than 24 runes?
Yes, later alphabets like the Younger Futhark have 16 and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc has up to 33. The Elder Futhark's 24 is the classic and the most widely used for divination.
What is the difference between Elder and Younger Futhark?
The Elder Futhark is the oldest, with 24 runes and rich meanings. The Younger Futhark is a streamlined 16-rune alphabet used later in the Viking Age, mostly for writing.
References
- Elliott, R. W. V. (1989). Runes: An Introduction.
- Page, R. I. (1999). An Introduction to English Runes.
- Flowers, S. E. (1986). Runes and Magic: Magical Formulaic Elements in the Older Runic Tradition.