The History of the Runes – Unlocking the Mystery of the Runic Sigils

The history of the Runes is steeped in mystery and secrecy, with many scholars today arguing the case for different origins and purposes. For over two thousand years Runes have held a fascination with people, holding a sense of magic and wonder. For an alphabet to have gained this aura of mystery seems perhaps odd, yet Runic history shows that these symbols were not created purely as an alphabet with which to communicate, but as symbols of the world around them, including the unseen forces.

Legend tells that the history of the Runes begins with Odin, the mighty God of the Norse mythology. It is said that Odin hung from the World Tree, upside down, for nine days and nine nights, after which he died. As he passed on to the realm beyond death he gained knowledge and understanding beyond that of mortals, after which he was reborn. His knowledge was then passed on in the form of Runes.

The very word, ‘Rune’ means ‘shrouded in mystery’ or ‘hidden wisdom’, and so it is unsurprising that much speculation and disagreement exists today as far as some of the origins and deeper meaning of the Runes is concerned. We do know that some of the Runic symbols are very old, found in carvings from the Bronze Age, and it is interesting to note that several of these have survived to current alphabets in very similar forms....read more>>>...