Runic alphabets

Runic alphabets are ancient writing systems used by Germanic peoples, primarily in Northern Europe, from around the 2nd to 8th centuries AD. Comprising characters known as runes, these alphabets served for inscriptions on stone, wood, and metal, often with mystical or memorial purposes. The most well-known are the Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, each with unique rune shapes and sounds. Runic scripts influenced later alphabets and remain a symbol of cultural heritage and symbolism for modern enthusiasts. They represent a blend of practical communication and spiritual significance in early Germanic societies.