Futhark is a term that refers to any of the various runic alphabets used by Germanic-speaking peoples, particularly during the Viking Age. The word "futhark" itself is derived from the first six runic letters: "f," "u," "th," "a," "r," and "k."
The runic alphabets known as futharks were primarily used by the ancient Germanic peoples, including the Norsemen, Anglo-Saxons, and other tribes in Northern Europe. The most well-known and widely used futhark is the Elder Futhark, which consists of 24 letters arranged into three groups or "aetts." The first aett is named after the first eight runes, the second aett after the next eight runes, and so on.
Each rune in the futhark has both a phonetic value and a symbolic meaning. The phonetic value allows for the representation of sounds, while the symbolic meaning is often associated with concepts, objects, or natural phenomena. The futhark was primarily used for writing inscriptions on various objects, especially weapons, amulets, and memorial stones.
While the use of futharks has greatly diminished since the adoption of the Latin alphabet, they still hold significance in contemporary neo-pagan and esoteric practices. Many individuals interested in Norse mythology and traditions continue to study and use the futhark for divination, writing personal names or phrases, or as symbols incorporated into tattoos or jewelry.
In summary, a futhark is a runic alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples, consisting of a set of letters, each having both a phonetic value and a symbolic meaning. It played a significant role in ancient writing systems, particularly during the Viking Age, and
