Pronunciation: [fˈʌθɔːk] (IPA) 
Futhork is a term used to refer to the runic alphabet used in old Norse and other Germanic languages. The spelling of the word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as 'ˈfuːθɔːrk'. The 'f' sound is followed by the 'u:' sound which is a long 'oo'. The 'th' is pronounced as 'θ' as in 'three'. The 'o' is pronounced as 'ɔ:' which is a long 'aw', and the 'r' is pronounced as a rolling 'ɹ' sound.
Futhork is a term used to refer to a writing system that was historically used by the Germanic people during the Early Middle Ages. Specifically, Futhork is an Old English term that denotes the runic alphabets employed by various Germanic languages, including Old English, Old High German, Old Norse, and others. The name "Futhork" itself is a combination of the first six letters of the runic alphabet, which are "f," "u," "th," "o," "r," and "k."
The Futhork writing system is unique in that it consists of a series of angular characters known as runes. These runes were traditionally carved or inscribed onto various materials, such as wood, metal, or stone. Each rune represents a specific sound or phoneme, and they also hold symbolic and magical significance within Germanic cultures.
Futhork runes are often depicted as straight lines with combinations of angular branches or dots. There are typically 24 runes in the Futhork alphabet, although slight variations can be found depending on the specific language or region.
Despite its historical usage, Futhork is considered obsolete in modern times, as it has been largely replaced by the Latin alphabet. However, there is still significant interest in Futhork runes among linguists, historians, and individuals interested in ancient Germanic cultures and mythologies. As a result, the Futhork alphabet continues to be studied, interpreted, and used in various contexts, such as in the creation of artistic designs, jewelry, or as a tool for divination purposes.
The word "Futhork" refers to the older forms of the runic alphabets used in Germanic languages. The etymology of "Futhork" can be traced back to the names of the first six letters in this runic script, which are:
- "Fehu" (also spelled "Feoh" or "Fē"), meaning "wealth" or "cattle".
- "Uruz" (also spelled "Ur"), meaning "aurochs" or "wild ox".
- "Thurisaz" (also spelled "Thorn"), meaning "thorn" or "giant".
- "Ansuz" (also spelled "Os"), meaning "god" or "mouth".
- "Raidho" (also spelled "Rad"), meaning "ride" or "journey".
