Norse runes can be used in Pagan wedding decor, on the ceremony altar, added to invitations, and more

 

 

Norse runes are powerful symbols with an ancient and magical history. These runes are known by scholars as the Elder Futhark, and are thought to be one of the oldest forms of runic alphabet. 

 

They were carved into stone and metal for protection, ritual magic, casting and divination, vengeance, and to share stories of harvest, gods, and battle. 

 

First used by Germanic and Scandinavian peoples, including the Vikings in northern Europe, it’s speculated that the Futhark runes became popular in the first or second century A.D. They have since been used by Wiccans, Hedge Witches, Neo Druids, Heathens and other modern Pagans. 

 

Each character represents a sound which can be placed together to spell words and create a story, or read on its own to symbolize a unique concept, object, or action. 

 

 

 

Runes can be engraved on wedding bands or wedding swords 

 

Runes as a part of the wedding ceremony 

 

Because of their symbolism and visual beauty, as well as their role in Pagan ritual and magic, runes are frequently seen at Viking weddings as part of the marriage rite, and at Wiccan and Pagan handfastings.

(See Handfasting Ceremony Scripts and Pagan Weddings Scripts in our Library)

 

You’ll find runes printed on wedding invitations, etched into wedding bands, wedding crowns, and pieces of heirloom jewelry, and painted on wedding altars and arches. You may even see them placed on the walls or floors of a wedding venue as part of casting a circle.

 

When used intentionally as part of a Pagan wedding ritual, including Viking weddings, runes are said to bless a marriage with wealth and good health, fertility, wisdom and strength, protection from evil outside forces, and years of love and happiness. 

 

Get ordained online with American Marriage Ministries to become a minister today, and learn how to marry friends and family in a beautiful, authentic ceremony. 

 

 

 

The Elder Futhark - Viking Runes 

 

Below, you’ll find each of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark, along with its individual meaning. 

 

Fehu, Uruz, and Thurisaz

 

 

1. Fehu, F 
“Cattle” Wealth, material comfort, prosperity, abundance in the home, hope for the future

 

2. Uruz, U
“Wild Ox” Good health, determination, resilience, strength 

 

3. Thurisaz, TH
“Giant” The giants of Norse mythology, chaos, driving power, danger, and forceful emotion, negative unless handled with wisdom 

 

Ansuz, Raido, and Kenaz

 

 

4. Ansuz, A
“God or Deity” Odin, divine insight, prosperity, inspiration 

 

5. Raido, R
“A Long Journey” Fortitude, patience, strength, evolution, growth, the cycle of life

 

6. Kenaz, K
“Fire or Light” Truth, transparency in communication, triumph of good, creativity, fire element (Also written Kaun, Kaunaz)

 

 Gebo, Wunjo, and Hagalaz

 

 

7. Gebo, G
“A Gift or Sacrifice to the Gods” Spiritual connection, willing surrender, faith, hope, a generous spirit 

 

8. Wunjo, W
“Joy” Emotional and physical safety, triumph in battle, deep happiness and joy, family

 

9. Hagalaz, H
“Hail” Stormy weather, both literal and metaphoric, the hail of battle, destruction, risk, air element

Nauthiz, Isa, Jera

 

 

10. Nauthiz, N
“Need” The essential needs for a successful life, and life itself, necessity, wants

 

11. Isa, I
“Ice” Patience and frustration, a period of waiting for clarity, something unknown and undecided

 

12. Jera, Y
“A Year or the Harvest” A full turn of the wheel, coming full circle, a period of abundance and harvest, earth element

Eithwaz, Perth, Algiz

 

 

13. Eithwaz, EI
“Yew Tree” The sacred yew tree, the wood of which is used to carve rune stones and wands for ritual; sacred, magical, spiritually potent, divine source

 

14. Perth, P
Unknown - this rune has unknown meaning and is sometimes avoided for this reason

 

15. Algiz, Z
“Protection” Protection and defense against harm

 Sowilo, Tiwaz, Berkano

 

 

16. Sowilo, S
“The Sun or Sól the Norse god of sunlight”

 

17. Tiwaz, T
“God of War, Tyr, or Tir” Battle, victory, family, honor, righteousness

 

18. Berkano, B
“Goddess of Spring, Iduna, Idun, or Iðunn” Fertility, renewal, springtime, new beginnings, youthful joy, birch trees, apples, earth element

Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz

 

 

19. Ehwaz, E
“The Horse” Steady and easy companionship, trust

 

20. Mannaz, M
“Humankind” Family, community, relationships, mortality, vulnerability

 

21. Laguz, L
“Water” Unknown depths, fluidity of spirit and mind, strong emotions, unpredictability, water element

Ingwaz, Dagaz, and Othila

 

 

22. Ingwaz, NG
Somewhat unknown, thought to symbolize Ing, Yngvi, or Freyr, Frey, God of Virility (male sexual potency), Prosperity, harvest, abundance 

 

23. Dagaz, D
“Daylight” New beginnings, fresh possibility, the cycle of the day, hope, enlightenment, change, fire element

 

24. Othila, O
“Inheritance” Wisdom, wealth, ancestors, lineage (Also written as Odal, Othala)

 

 

 

Runes can be written on your vows or invitations

 

 

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 You might also like: 

 

• When Pagans Wed: Modern Paganism & the Wedding Ritual

 

• AMM ordains people of all faiths -- from pagans to monotheists, atheists to agnostics!

 

• Viking Weddings: Magic, Swords, Runes, Ritual Sacrifice, and More
   

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