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Rune Sets
Runes are divided into sets based on their origin and usage. The most comprehensive and common are the Elder and Younger Futhark, which developed and was used for generations across both Germania and Scandinavia.
In the Younger Futhark, several runes have alternate glyphs titled “Short-Twig” or “Long-Branch” - these are shorthand versions of certain runes, which were used mostly across Scandinavia.
- Anglo-Saxon (and Old English)plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAnglo-Saxon (and Old English)
Anglo-Saxon (and Old English) - Elder Futharkplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigElder Futhark
This is the oldest known and complete runic alphabet. It was used in ancient Germania until Christianization, and the forced imposition of the Latin alphabet on the native Germanic peoples.
Elder Futhark is divided into three groups known as - Gothicplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGothic
The Gothic runic alphabet was developed in the late 19th century. - Medieval Alphabetplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMedieval Alphabet
This is a Latinized alphabet created after the Christianization of Scandinavia. It includes glyphs for letters that never existed in northwestern Europe, such as Q, X and Z. - Northumbrianplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigNorthumbrian
Northumbrian - Younger Futharkplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigYounger Futhark
This is an adaptation of Elder Futhark, including several alternative glyphs designed for faster writing (i.e. carving into wood and stone).