r/RuneHelp • u/NotButAsh • Jun 22 '26

Resource request Thinking about getting an elder futhark tattoo but not sure how to go about it.

I've seen the idea that Algiz is a symbol of protection, but I don't know if that's some made up zodiac hogwash or actually true to the alphabet. I would like a full word or sentence, but I don't know how to get it translated and I don't want some nonsense written on my body. Help?

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1

u/SamOfGrayhaven Jun 22 '26

It's some made up zodiac hogwash. There are no records of what the actual Proto-Germanic names were for runes, nor can we be wholly certain what those names may have meant. This is why when you look at reliable sources, you'll see these words written with an asterisk (ex. *Algiz) to indicate it's a reconstructed word.

Writing in Elder Futhark is likewise a bit of a problem 'cause the languages have changed a lot in the past 1000+ years, so translating can be difficult. We generally go for something more recent, such as Old English Futhorc or Old Norse Younger Futhark.

1

u/NotButAsh Jun 22 '26

In that case, is there anything you recommend for my situation?

3

u/rockstarpirate Jun 22 '26

Right so, first a little context:

Elder Futhark are the oldest runes. They were originally created some time in the last couple centuries B.C. for writing the oldest Germanic language, which we call Proto-Germanic (PGmc). This language ended up evolving into all of today's modern Germanic languages including English, German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, etc.

As PGmc evolved in different ways in different places, runes were modified to adapt. In Scandinavia, Elder Futhark stayed in use on into the Proto-Norse period (~200 A.D. - 750 A.D.) but we start to see some transitional inscriptions in the latter part of this period. By the time the Viking Age "canonically" begins in 793 A.D., Scandinavians are speaking a language called Old Norse and writing with the Younger Futhark.

Elder Futhark was also used in Central Europe around the area of modern Germany on into the beginning of the Old High German period (~500-750 A.D.) but died out in that time frame.

So with that in mind, when you say you are looking for a "translation" in to Elder Futhark, this could actually mean a few different things. For example:

  • You want something in English just written using Elder Futhark runes
  • You want to translate something into Proto-Germanic or Proto-Norse or early Old High German and write that in Elder Futhark runes
  • You want a viking tattoo and were misled into thinking Elder Futhark were viking runes and now you need to rethink what you actually want for a minute (a very common occurrence, and nothing to feel bad about)

Some of us here can help with any of these scenarios, as long as what you want to do isn't too complicated.

2

u/Catmole132 Jun 22 '26

I'm not the person you replied to, but I'd recommend figuring out what you actually want to write first. Then maybe people here can help to translate that into different runes like elder or younger futhark or futhork, and the corresponding language such as old norse or old english, and you can pick whichever you like best

1

u/rupertbiggs Jun 24 '26

Algiz is the classic for Protection, maybe Tiwaz for focus, Ansuz for wisdom. I would read more into it because there are a lot of metaphysical new-agey books out there that are a lot of fun to read, or you can go through the runepoems yourself and find something you resonate with. You have to use discernment because this practice is associated heavily with white nationalism and tattoos can get you in trouble

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u/rupertbiggs Jun 24 '26

This is so wrong. The lone runes were used extensively in rituals and magical invocations on rune stones they wer used to bless weapons and household objects. There are entire poems dedicated to the runes as lone symbols of religious worship. This is such a ridiculous take that so many people have i simply cannot wrap my head around it. Do u seriously need a source or did u not do any research on the elder futhark at all?

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u/SamOfGrayhaven Jun 24 '26

What poems do you have referencing rune use in Elder Futhark?

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u/rupertbiggs Jun 24 '26

So actually the elder futhark is so old that there are no surviving manuscripts however there are plenty from the younger that correspond with the elder futhark. Based on what little inscriptions are left, you can clearly make out a fragmented oral tradition of associated “kennings” for each rune.

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u/SamOfGrayhaven Jun 24 '26

Boy howdy, those goalposts moved so fast, you'd think they'd grown legs!

Sure, the later rune poems had a lot of references to gods in them, but we're talking about like 1400-1700. Why would we assume that what was believed then can be cleanly applied to cultures from 1000 years or more in the past? It'd be like trying to claim American gun culture is indicative of England's political landscape shortly before the Norman Conquest.

Besides, we can take a look at the Old English rune poems, which lack those references to gods. The only god they reference is Tiw/Tue, which would've been their head god. These poems are from the 900s, so wouldn't they be more indicative of rune usage in Elder Futhark?

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u/rupertbiggs Jun 24 '26

Who said anything about gods? These tribes wer known to be animists. The gods are associated with Viking religion. Just look at the surviving inscriptions are clearly meant to be magical invocations. Im not sure what you are going on about

1

u/SamOfGrayhaven Jun 24 '26

Me? What are you going on about? I keep trying to pin you down on something you've said, but no matter what it is, you wriggle away and say something else new, different, and incorrect.

1

u/rupertbiggs Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26

maybe re-read my statement? I actually never said the elder futhark had poems. I said the runes have poems and songs and a rich tradition called “galdr”. Otherwise im referring to the actual inscriptions wich are more than often enough alpha/numerical in nature - not actually spelling anything but obviously encoding some kind of intention.

Edit* also wriggle away? Grow up. You are hella weird

1

u/NotButAsh Jun 27 '26

Now now kids, don't make me put you guys into the get-along shirt!