"Orphan 8" - The Lost Runes

$15.00

When the Elder Futhark transitioned into the Younger Futhark, the rune set was reduced from 24 to 16 characters, meaning 8 runes were lost, hence the “Orphan 8” as well call them. This change reflected shifts in the Old Norse language, where certain sounds merged or became obsolete.

The 8 Lost Runes

  1. ᚨ (Ansuz) – Represented the A sound and was associated with divine inspiration and communication.

  2. ᚲ (Kaun) – Symbolized ulcers or disease, later replaced by a simpler K sound.

  3. ᚷ (Gebo) – Stood for gift and generosity, but was removed as the G sound changed.

  4. ᚹ (Wunjo) – Represented joy and harmony, but was lost as the W sound merged with other vowels.

  5. ᛃ (Jera) – Linked to harvest and cycles, but was removed as the J/Y sound evolved.

  6. ᛇ (Eiwaz) – Associated with yew trees and protection, but was omitted as its phonetic value became unclear.

  7. ᛉ (Algiz) – A rune of defense and protection, lost as its sound merged with other consonants.

  8. ᛏ (Tiwaz) – Represented honor and justice, but was simplified in the Younger Futhark.

These lost runes carried deep symbolic meanings, but their removal made the Younger Futhark more efficient for writing Old Norse.

When the Elder Futhark transitioned into the Younger Futhark, the rune set was reduced from 24 to 16 characters, meaning 8 runes were lost, hence the “Orphan 8” as well call them. This change reflected shifts in the Old Norse language, where certain sounds merged or became obsolete.

The 8 Lost Runes

  1. ᚨ (Ansuz) – Represented the A sound and was associated with divine inspiration and communication.

  2. ᚲ (Kaun) – Symbolized ulcers or disease, later replaced by a simpler K sound.

  3. ᚷ (Gebo) – Stood for gift and generosity, but was removed as the G sound changed.

  4. ᚹ (Wunjo) – Represented joy and harmony, but was lost as the W sound merged with other vowels.

  5. ᛃ (Jera) – Linked to harvest and cycles, but was removed as the J/Y sound evolved.

  6. ᛇ (Eiwaz) – Associated with yew trees and protection, but was omitted as its phonetic value became unclear.

  7. ᛉ (Algiz) – A rune of defense and protection, lost as its sound merged with other consonants.

  8. ᛏ (Tiwaz) – Represented honor and justice, but was simplified in the Younger Futhark.

These lost runes carried deep symbolic meanings, but their removal made the Younger Futhark more efficient for writing Old Norse.