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History of Runes	Runic Divination	Rune meanings

Runes

History of Runes

Runic alphabets are a set of related alphabets using letters known as runes that were formerly used to write Germanic languages, mainly in Scandinavia, and the British Isles. In all its varieties, they may be considered to be an ancient writing system in Northern Europe. The earliest runic inscriptions date from circa 200, and runic alphabets were used continuously for the next 1700 years, last being attested as used in 19th century rural Sweden.

The three best known runic alphabets are the elder futhark, the younger futhark, and the Anglo-Saxon futhorc. The most likely candidate for the origins of runic scripts are 5th to 1st century BC Lepontic, Rhaetic and Venetic alphabets from northern Italy, all closely related to each other and descended from Etruscan. These scripts bear a remarkable resemblance to the futhark in many regards.

Although the Etruscan alphabet is usually a good candidate for runes' origin, that's it, South- or Central European derivation, there have been considerations whether the glyphs' geometrical shape originate from tree branches and notches, or whether they were created for practical purpose when carving in wood. Carved signs are also used in non-phonentical writing such as landmarks (marking paths) and family- or house marks (marking possession). Also, the characteristic construction and the need of reservation of non-similar signs among families, was needed to identify cattle-stocks. Simple lines and bars are easily recognized and prohibits wounding the ear. There is, however, also a possibility that those signs might be derived from marks, which in turn may be derived from runes.

 

Also in this topic is:
History of Runes	Runic Divination	Rune meanings