"Witch Color by Number" is a popular activity that combines the fun of coloring with the challenge of solving a numerical puzzle. This activity involves coloring a picture based on a coded chart that assigns specific colors to numbers. The concept of "Color by Number" has been around for many years and is a favorite pastime for children and adults of all ages. It provides a simple yet engaging way to create beautiful artwork by following a set of instructions. In a "Witch Color by Number" activity, the picture typically features a witch or a Halloween-themed scene. The coded chart assigns different numbers to specific colors or shades.
Name: Thurisaz, “Giant.” Phoneme: Th (both soft and hard). Meaning: danger, suffering.
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. If you re interested in going beyond the evidence and using less academically acceptable means of discerning other meanings of the runes, you have to do that yourself.
The coded chart assigns different numbers to specific colors or shades. For example, the number 1 might be represented by black, and the number 2 might be represented by orange. To complete the activity, participants must first decipher the code by matching the numbers in the chart to the corresponding colors.
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. :
The Jelling Stones / Erik Christensen (CC)
They can then use this information to color the picture accordingly. By following the coded chart, the image gradually comes to life, revealing a vibrant and visually appealing piece of artwork. One of the main benefits of "Witch Color by Number" is that it combines creativity with problem-solving skills. Participants must use their logical thinking and ability to match numbers to colors in order to successfully complete the activity. Additionally, it helps improve fine motor skills as it requires precision and attention to detail when coloring within the designated areas. This activity can be enjoyed individually or as a group, making it suitable for parties, classrooms, or family gatherings. It offers a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend time while also stimulating the mind. The end result is a beautiful and personalized piece of artwork that can be proudly displayed or shared with others. In conclusion, "Witch Color by Number" is a fun and interactive activity that provides a unique twist to traditional coloring. It combines creativity, problem-solving, and motor skills development, making it a great choice for individuals of all ages. Whether you are a child or an adult, this activity offers a fantastic way to express your creativity and create beautiful artwork..
Reviews for "Escape into a World of Witchcraft with Color By Number"
- Jane - 1 star - I was really disappointed with Witch Color by Number. The concept seemed fun, being able to color in different pictures and create beautiful artwork. However, the execution was lacking. The colors were limited and there wasn't much variety in the pictures to choose from. I quickly got bored and felt like I wasted my money on this app.
- Michael - 2 stars - Witch Color by Number was alright, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The controls were a bit wonky and it was difficult to fill in the tiny spaces without going outside the lines. Additionally, there were way too many ads that interrupted my coloring experience. I understand that free apps need to make money, but this was excessive. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this app to others.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I found Witch Color by Number to be quite frustrating. The colors didn't always match the numbers and it was difficult to tell what color you were selecting. Some of the pictures were also pixelated and low quality, which made it hard to enjoy the coloring process. I hope the developers can improve these issues in future updates, as the concept of the app is promising.
- John - 1 star - Witch Color by Number was a complete waste of time for me. The pictures were boring and uninspiring, and the color choices were dull. There was no option to create your own designs or upload pictures, which would have added some much-needed variety. I quickly uninstalled the app and won't be using it again.