| There are many things about
history that we love, admire, participate in, and believe in.
In fact that is why we are in the business of selling Renaissance
and Re-Enactment products. However, along our many journeys as
merchants and crafters, one of the things we have come to enjoy the
most are Runes. Runes are the ancient
alphabet of the Viking people from 800 A.D. to around 1200 A.D. and
have been found to be used quite a bit even before this time.
They are simple symbols made almost entirely out of straight lines,
found engraved and chiseled on wood and stone all over Europe,
Western Asia, and a few other parts of the world. These
symbols had many uses, including individual letters and full words.
Some of these full word meanings were even believed to be
representations brought by the gods. The Viking people would start
wearing the symbols in hopes that the gods would appreciate it and
bring them the help they needed in various aspects of their lives.
The farmer would wear a token with Jera, the Rune of Harvest, in
hopes for a successful harvest or a warrior would paint Teiwaz, the
Warrior Rune, on his shield in hopes of victory in battle.
There were times when more than one of
these Runes were needed and they would then create what is called a
Bind Rune, where multiple Runes are combined into one symbol.
Then a warrior could combine Uruz, the Rune of Strength, with
Teiwaz, the Warrior Rune, and paint one symbol on his shield for
both Strength and Victory! |
