Runes were not merely letters or simple inscriptions. It whispers tales of the old Norse ways, of a people who carved these symbols into stone, bone, and wood, seeking to both understand and influence the world around them. In the vast expanse of symbols that have graced human history, the Ingwaz rune holds a special place. Representing both potential and growth, the Ingwaz rune is a testament to the profound understanding our ancestors had of the cyclical nature of existence. Among these symbols, the runes of the Elder Futhark system stand out, with the Ingwaz rune being one of its most captivating emblems. The ancient world was a tapestry of symbols, each weaving its own tale of power, mystery, and meaning. ^ Reichardt, Konstantin (July–September 1953).It could be a good protection to take into the grave.'

^ Spurkland (2005:16): 'The twigs on the left of the stave represent six t runes while the twigs on the right, in pairs, stand for four a runes: tttttt, aaaa, or six times 'Týr' and four times 'áss' in the meaning of 'god'.^ Elliott, Ralph Warren Victor (1959).Languages and Cultures: Studies in Honor of Edgar C. In Jazayery, Mohammad Ali Winter, Werner (eds.). 'On the Mythological Interpretation of the Oldest Runic Inscriptions'. Das FuÞark und Seine Einzelsprachlichen Weiterentwicklungen. In Bammesberger, Alfred Waxenberger, Gabriele et al. 'Das ältere FuÞark: Überlieferlung und Wirkungsmöglichkeiten der Runenreihe'. ^ a b Düwel, Klaus Heizmann, Wilhelm (2006).Vadstena bracteate – Another Elder Futhark inscription.It is also possible that it refers to the Germanic tribe of the Suiones that inhabited the region, whose realm laid the basis for what became Sweden. The small inscription also uses the Younger Futhark version of the s-rune. However, this suggestion has been criticized as being 'linguistically impossible' for that time period. One suggestion presented by Marstrander is that it is a magical writing of the word 'eus' (the nominative form of the word horse) starting from the e and writing either way. The meaning of this latter palindromic word is unknown, but it is possible that it is associated with magic. Īt a separate space the word ᛊᚢᛖᚢᛊ sueus is inscribed. This is interpreted as a bindrune of stacked Tiwaz rune, or possibly of six Tiwaz and four Ansuz runes to invoke Tyr and the Æsir for protection.

The f (ᚠ) and w runes (ᚹ) runes are only partially inscribed.Īfter the last rune follows a spruce- or tree-like rune, with six twigs to the left and eight to the right of a single stave. The dots in the image indicate incorrect or unorthodox forms like these in the original inscription. With the a (ᚨ), s (ᛊ), and b runes (ᛒ) mirrored compared to later use, and the z rune (ᛉ) upside down (ᛦ). The Kylver stone is inscribed with the earliest known sequential listing of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark, …ᚢᚦᚨᚱᚲᚷ…ᚺᚾᛁᛃᛈᛇᛉᛊᛏᛒᛖᛗᛚᛜᛞᛟ u þ a r k g h n i j p ï z s t b e m l ŋ d o It has been suggested that the likely purpose of making the inscription was for practice or instruction in the carving of the Elder Futhark.

There are many examples where stone with runic inscriptions was reused for other purposes. In addition, there is no evidence that the inscription was made for the purpose of being used on the cover of a grave. However, it has been pointed out that there is nothing in the inscription to support this. The fact that the inscription was on the inside of a cover to a grave has resulted in speculation that it represented a use of the Elder Futhark to pacify the dead man in some manner. The Kylver stone was removed from Gotland and brought to the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm where it is on display As of 2022. The dating of the stone from 400 CE is based upon the archeological dating of the graves. The stone was a flat limestone rock used to seal a grave and the runic inscription was written on the underside, and could therefore not be read from above. The Kylver stone was found during the excavation of a cemetery near a farm at Kylver, Stånga, Gotland in 1903. It is notable for its listing of each of the runes in the Elder Futhark. The Kylver stone, listed in the Rundata catalog as runic inscription G 88, is a Swedish runestone which dates from about 400 AD. 5th-century runestone in Sweden The Kylver stone

Elder futhark runes stylized