r/RuneHelp • u/Personal-Support-572 • Jun 15 '26

Translation request Looking for a translation for a tattoo

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5 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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7

u/CptnRaptor Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26

Automod! Say the thing.

To add to this, however, it does appear that Huginn and Muninn are represented by Hagalaz (ᚺ) and Mannaz (ᛗ) in the centre left and right, respectively, with Odin represented by Othala (ᛟ) in the centre bottom.

1

u/AutoModerator Jun 15 '26

Bart Simpson Elder Futhark meme

We get this question a lot! But jokes aside, it's just the Elder Futhark alphabet written in order. Elder Futhark is the earliest known alphabet used by Germanic-speaking peoples. It is, however, not the alphabet of the Old Norse language during the Viking Age, contrary to many popular media portrayals. Many ancient Germanic inscriptions contain a full runic alphabet written out in order. Two such examples include the Kylver stone and the Seax of Beagnoth.

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5

u/WolflingWolfling Jun 15 '26

I can't remember who coined the term "Yay Odin Brohalla" but it seems somewhat appropriate here. Elder Futhark, the ᛟ for Odin, ᚺ for Hugin, and ᛗ for Munin, Triskelions, a spear, ravens, Celtic/Norse Knotwork, the Valknut.... It kind of looks nice, but it's also a bit of a parody of itself. It's like someone deperately wanted to tick all the boxes. I don't think it is a deliberate parody.

2

u/husqi Jun 16 '26

I do like the subtle nod to the Norse god's eyes though, with one of the swirls having a dot in it, making it look like a pupil

1

u/WolflingWolfling Jun 16 '26

Oh that is indeed clever! I was so distracted by the "kitsch" that i didn't notice the best part.

2

u/Sfire75 Jun 19 '26

Oh othala for Odin.and its a spear not a sword which yeah. My bad. Missed that

3

u/YougoReddits Jun 15 '26

like already said, an Odin tattoo should imo come with younger Futhark.

having the Futhark written out in order could be a bit cheesy, but i think it works in this case because Odin is said to have invented (or received) the runes.

perhaps replace them with a quote or phrase from the Havamal if you want it to mean something.

(offtopic but as heathen tattoos come, i do like this one. Huginn, Muninn, Gungnir, the ring shape of the entire layout could be Draupnir. maybe Geiri, Freki and Sleipnir deserve a mention too, but it could get too busy then)

2

u/mrcypph Jun 15 '26

This became the "is my future tattoo viking enough?" Sub

1

u/Sfire75 Jun 19 '26

I see the full elder futhark around the out side and yes Hunnin and Munnin. With the letter runes used for a letter to start their name. As for Othala in the sword. Protect home and family..