The Viking rune known as "strength" is a symbol of power and assertiveness in Norse mythology. It represents the physical and mental strength of an individual, as well as their ability to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. The rune is often depicted as a vertical line with branches extending outwards at the top and bottom. It is believed to have been associated with the god Thor, who was known for his great strength and courage. In Viking culture, strength was highly valued and respected. Warriors were admired for their physical prowess and ability to protect their communities.
Warriors were admired for their physical prowess and ability to protect their communities. The strength rune served as a reminder to individuals to harness their inner strength and may have been used as a talisman or amulet to provide protection and courage in battle. The strength rune also held spiritual significance in Viking society.
Viking Runes Guide | Runic Alphabet Meanings | Norse / Nordic Letters
NOTE: Full tables of the Elder Futhark and Younger Futhark are available at the bottom of this article.
Runes
In Norse lore, the god, Odin, impaled his heart with his own spear and hung on the world tree, Yggdrasil, for nine days and nights all to perceive the meaning of the runes. The runes were symbols that sprang from the Well of Urd – the source of fate. Odin made his sacrifice at great anguish and risk to himself because he knew that the runes conveyed deep meaning, and if he could understand their meaning he would gain profound wisdom and power.
So, we see from this story how the Vikings thought of runes not merely as letters but as having potent virtues within themselves of a metaphysical or even magical nature. The Norse and other Germanic peoples wrote with runes since at least the first century. However, they did not use this writing the way we do now, or even the way Mediterranean and other neighboring cultures did then. Instead, runes were originally for inscriptions of great importance. They could be carved into runestones to commemorate ancestors and mark the graves of heroes. Because they had inherent meaning, they could be used as a means of communication between the natural and supernatural, and could thus be used in spells for protection or success.
Carved on sticks, bone, shells, or other objects, runes could be cast and deciphered to discern the present or predict the future. Rather than being penned on vellum or parchment, runes were usually carved on wood, bone, or stone, hence their angular appearance. While evidence suggests that most Vikings could read the runes on at least a basic level, for them the true study and understanding of these symbols was a pursuit fit for the gods. It is obvious to see how common influence between runes and English letters used today, such as the T, O, F and S seen in the image of the above pendants. With a little practice, runes are not difficult for English speakers to read.
Runic Futharks
Our word alphabet comes from the Greek letters, alpha and beta. Similarly, modern experts have termed runic alphabets futharks (or futhorks), based on the first six letters of Elder Futhark which roughly correspond to our F, U, Th, A, R, and K. Elder Futhark earns its designation because it is the oldest-discovered complete runic system, appearing in order on the Kylver Stone from Gotland, Sweden, dated from the dawn of the Migration Era (around the year 400).
UPDATE: 2023: An older runestone known as the Svingerud Stone was recently excavated in Norway and the carved runes are believed to have been inscribed around the time of Christ, pushing back the age the Elder Futhark runes even further. (Read more about the Svingerud Stone here).
Runestones
As the name implies, runestones were stones (often large monoliths of granite) inscribed with runic messages and sometimes pictures. Roughly 50 runestones have been found from the early Migration Era, before the Vikings. During the Viking Age (circa 793-1066), runestones proliferated and included large, heavy monuments carved by specialists. There are about 3,500 known runic inscriptions in Scandinavia (2,400 in Sweden, 450 in Denmark and only about 140 in Norway). Though gray and weathered now, runestones were once brightly colored and featured red, black, or blue runes.
Runestones were intended as a display of power, declaring the dominion of the ruling family (such as Harald Bluetooth’s famous Jelling stones). Others might have been meant to consecrate ground. Runestones were often raised next to grave sites. Some of the raised runestones first appear in the fourth and fifth century in Norway and Sweden. And in Denmark as early as the eighth and ninth century. However, most of them were found in Sweden, and many of these were erected in the eleventh century as the Viking
Age waned.
The Kingittorsuaq Runestone below was found in Greenland and is currently located at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen.
Elder Futhark has 24 runes, and over the next few centuries became widely used amongst the many Germanic tribes that vied for survival throughout northern Europe. By the Viking Age (roughly, 793-1066) the Elder Futhark gradually gave way to the Younger Futhark. The Younger Futhark has only 16 runes. This reduction in runes was not because the language was becoming simpler but because it was becoming more complicated.
Phonetically, the runes of the Younger Futhark were working double-duty to cover the changes that were differentiating the Norse tongues from that of other Germanic peoples.
Younger Futhark can be further divided into styles, including the 'long branch' and the 'short twig' runes. The short twig runes evolved as a type of “shorthand” or “cursive” style of runes (faster and easier to write) and became very popular in Norway and Sweden. The long branch runes remained more important for formal inscriptions and were always the standard in Denmark.
There are also other runic systems or futharks, such as the Anglo-Saxon runes and Gothic runes. These runes are closely related to the Elder Futhark. :
Carved on sticks, bone, shells, or other objects, runes could be cast and deciphered to discern the present or predict the future. Rather than being penned on vellum or parchment, runes were usually carved on wood, bone, or stone, hence their angular appearance. While evidence suggests that most Vikings could read the runes on at least a basic level, for them the true study and understanding of these symbols was a pursuit fit for the gods. It is obvious to see how common influence between runes and English letters used today, such as the T, O, F and S seen in the image of the above pendants. With a little practice, runes are not difficult for English speakers to read.
It represented the power of the gods and their influence on human strength. It was believed that by invoking the strength rune, individuals could tap into the divine power and gain additional strength and resilience. Today, the strength rune continues to be used as a symbol of personal strength and determination. It can be seen in various settings, such as tattoos, jewelry, and artwork, as a reminder to individuals to stay strong and persevere in the face of challenges. The strength rune serves as a timeless symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Vikings and their unwavering pursuit of strength and victory..
Reviews for "Exploring the Mythology Behind Viking Rune Strength"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Viking Rnues Strength" to be quite disappointing. The storyline was weak and predictable, lacking any originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing of the book felt off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
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3. Samantha - 2/5 stars - "Viking Rnues Strength" had so much potential, but it fell short in execution. The world-building felt half-hearted, with incomplete descriptions and inconsistent details. The historical aspect of the Viking era was glossed over, leaving me wanting more depth and authenticity. The action scenes were poorly choreographed and lacked excitement, leaving me detached from the story. While the premise of the book had promise, the execution failed to deliver an engaging and immersive experience.
4. David - 1/5 stars - I struggled to finish "Viking Rnues Strength". The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard for me to follow and invest in the story. The writing style was choppy and lacked finesse, with awkward transitions and unnecessary padding. The characters were uninteresting and I couldn't find any reason to care about their journey. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and it didn't live up to the hype for me.