The legacy of the runes – how they lived on after the Viking Age

When the Viking Age ended, it was long believed that the runes died out with it . 0But the truth is that the runes continued to be used for hundreds of years afterwards – in farms, churches, magical rituals and even in official letters.

The runes became a bridge between the old and the new Nordic countries – between Æsir belief and Christianity, between oral tradition and written language.

The runes in medieval Scandinavia

After the 12th century, the Latin alphabet became increasingly common, especially in the church and among scribes. But in the countryside, the runes survived.

In Sweden, the so-called medieval rune row was used – a variant of the Younger Futhark that had more characters and Latin influences . It was used for writing on wood, stone and parchment , often in everyday contexts.

Runic letters, wooden booklets and runic inscriptions have been found that contain:

• shopping lists
• love letter
• prayers
• business agreement

It shows that runes were not something “mystical” in themselves – they were practical, useful and popular.

Runic letters from wood – everyday SMS

In the city of Bergen in Norway, archaeologists have found over 600 runic letters from the 12th to 14th centuries. They are carved on small wooden sticks – much like Viking Age messages or notes.

Example:

“Gyda greets his dear Kolbein – come home soon!”
“Bring butter when you go to the market.”

Others are more poetic or humorous:

“I love the one who calls me theirs.”

These findings show that runes were a living language well into the Middle Ages – used by ordinary people, not just scholars.

Runes in the shadow of the church

When Christianity spread, the church initially tried to replace the runes with Latin script . But it was difficult to erase a thousand years of tradition.

In fact, runic inscriptions have been found on church walls, baptismal fonts and church bells – often carved by local craftsmen or pilgrims.

In some cases, runes are combined with Latin letters and Christian symbols , showing how the two worlds merged . The runes took on new roles – no longer pagan, but Christian signs of faith, memory and protection.

Runes in folk beliefs and magic

Long after runes ceased to be used as writing, they survived in folk belief . People carved runes on tools, doorposts, and jewelry to protect against illness, misfortune, and witchcraft.

Some examples:

• The Týr rune (ᛏ) was used for courage and victory.
• Bjarkan (ᛒ) stood for fertility and growth.
• Algiz (ᛉ) became a symbol of protection and spiritual strength.

In some parts of Sweden, runes were carved into butter churns or milk churns to “keep the trolls away.” The runes became part of magical thinking that survived into the 19th century.

Runes as secret writing

In more recent times, runes were sometimes used as a secret code or marking system . Farmers carved runes on their tools to mark possessions , and children learned simpler runic lines as play writing.

In some parishes, there were “farmer runes” – local variations in which the runes took on their own unique forms. They were used to write diaries, love letters or magic formulas , long after no one could read the original runes anymore.

The rediscovery of the runes

In the 17th century, a new interest in the runes was awakened. Antiquarians and historians began to collect and document runestones, especially in Sweden.

People like Johan Bureus (1568–1652) saw the runes as the Nordics’ own, sacred heritage – a language given by God. He called them “ Adalrunor ” (noble runes) and tried to interpret their hidden, esoteric meaning.

It was the beginning of a runic romanticism that would later inspire both ancient scholars, artists and writers – from national romanticism to modern fantasy.

Runes in modern times

Today, the runes live on in many ways:

• In art, tattoos and jewelry.
• In role-playing games, fantasy and popular culture – from Tolkien to Marvel's Thor.
• In linguistics and archaeology , where runes are still interpreted and decoded.

Runes have gone from being everyday writing to timeless symbolism . They stand for origin, identity and mystery – signs that still arouse fascination.

The eternal journey of the runes

From Viking Age stones to modern symbols, runes have traveled through language, religion and culture . They have survived through adaptation – each era has given them new meaning.

The runes never died. They just changed form.

The runes live on

The runes were never just letters – they were carriers of meaning, memory and power . Even when they lost their place as writing, they lived on in people's faith, language and symbolic world.

And perhaps that's precisely why they still fascinate us today: They remind us that words, once carved in stone, can survive anything .