He craves for water, who comes for refreshment,
drying and friendly bidding,
marks of good will, fair fame if 'tis won,
and welcome once and again.
Håvamål 4
Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests
"'Twas Gunnlod who gave me on a golden throne
a draught of the glorious mead,
but with poor reward did I pay her back
for her true and troubled heart."
Håvamål 104
Odin's Quest after the Song Mead
Welcome to the Rune Pages
Runes are characters used by the Vikings and many other people in Europe as far back as 1700 years ago.
Anything to do with Vikings just wouldn't be complete without a look at runes; where they came from, how they were used and what people are doing with runes today.
Here is a brief introduction on runes with examples of the Norsemen's rune alphabets.
Runes were carved on ships, weapons and other personal possessions. Naturally, "Vidfarne" needed one, too. Thus, I created the Vidfarne Rune that you see on all my pages.
You can find more rune resources in the links collection. Have fun!
To get you in the mood, here's a delightful passage about runes from a Håvamål, an old text from the Viking period—maybe even earlier.
Odin's Rune Quest
"I trow I hung on that windy Tree
nine whole days and nights,
stabbed with a spear, offered to Odin,
myself to mine own self given,
high on that Tree of which none hath heard
from what roots it rises to heaven.
None refreshed me ever with food or drink,
I peered right down in the deep;
crying aloud I lifted the Runes
then back I fell from thence.
Nine mighty songs I learned from the great
son of Bale-thorn, Bestla's sire;
I drank a measure of the wondrous Mead,
with the Soulstirrer's drops I was showered.
Ere long I bare fruit, and throve full well,
I grew and waxed in wisdom;
word following word, I found me words,
deed following deed, I wrought deeds.
Hidden Runes shalt thou seek and interpreted signs,
many symbols of might and power,
by the great Singer painted, by the high Powers fashioned,
graved by the Utterer of gods.
For gods graved Odin, for elves graved Daïn,
Dvalin the Dallier for dwarfs,
All-wise for Jötuns, and I, of myself,
graved some for the sons of men.
Dost know how to write, dost know how to read,
dost know how to paint, dost know how to prove,
dost know how to ask, dost know how to offer,
dost know how to send, dost know how to spend?
Better ask for too little than offer too much,
like the gift should be the boon;
better not to send than to overspend.
……
Thus Odin graved ere the world began;
Then he rose from the deep, and came again."
Håvamål
