What are runes?

Runes are characters used in ancient Germanic alphabets, most notably the runic scripts that were utilized by various Germanic peoples including the Norse and Anglo-Saxons. These characters were often inscribed on stones, wood, and metal and were used for various purposes including writing, magic, and commemorating the dead. Runes are distinct from modern alphabets as they were developed over a millennium ago and have a specific cultural and historical significance tied to the Germanic tribes.

The term "runes" itself connects to an Old Germanic word that means "mystery" or "secret," indicating the magical and mystical aspects assigned to them in the cultures that used them. This context helps to illuminate why they are categorized as characters in ancient writing systems rather than as weapons, forms of government, or modern alphabets.