Thursday, February 13, 2014

Numbers (Rune)


In the Vikings' runic inscriptions, we do find numbers written down, but it's very rare.  Usually numbers are spelled out as whole words, although on rare occasion the first letter of the number-word is used to stand for the number.  And very uncommon, on occasion, the Vikings would use the runic letters to stand for a numeral.  So the Uruz u rune for auroch may be the letter u or the number 2.  Or Fehu f rune for wealth may be the letter f or the number 1. 

 
Later a tally like system developed for numbers.  Runic calendars is the most common use of this system.  The numbers three and nine are significant numbers in Germanic paganism and later Norse mythology. Both numbers (and multiplications thereof) appear throughout surviving attestations of Germanic paganism, in both Germanic mythology and religious practice itself. While the number three appears as a holy number in many cultures, for the Germanic peoples, the number nine held a special significance. Along with the number 27, both numbers also figure into the lunar calendar of the Germanic peoples.



The pentimal system is a notation for presenting numbers, usually by inscribing in wood or stone. The notation has been used in Scandinavia, usually in conjunction to runes.  Unlike the Roman notation, the notches are placed vertically on the stem or stav of the rune. The number 4 is represented by four horizontal lines on the stem, 5 is represented by what looks like an inverted letter U. 10 is represented by two U's opposing each other, also used for 0.
 

17 comments:

  1. Could you please write a bibliography for this page. thx

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    1. Arcarti, Kristyna. A Beginner's Guide to Runes. N.p.: Coreyemmah, n.d. Print.

      Barnes, Michael P. Runes: A Handbook. N.p.: Boydell, 2012. Print.

      "Old Norse Numeric Reckoning." Viking Answer Lady Webpage -. N.p., n.d. Web.

      "Pentimal System." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web.

      Thorsson, Edred. Futhark, a Handbook of Rune Magic. N.p.: S. Weiser, 1984. Print.

      "Viking Runes - My Little Norway." My Little Norway. N.p., n.d. Web.

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  2. What would the run be for 40,50,60,70,80,90, and 100? Is there tunes for these?

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    1. For the tally system, it would be added together, like the roman numbers do, examples above. For runes, it does go to 33 - I think those too can be added together. I will check in few places if I find a better answer. Thanks for reading along. Blessed Be.

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  3. Is there any runes for 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100?

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    1. Jackson Crawford has several videos on runes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH0ZhhGwCOQ). And Viking answer lady has the number names, to spell out the numbers in runes (http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/numeric-reckoning.shtml). Thanks for reading along. Blessed Be.

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  4. I very much like the way you have provided some very useful information about numerology. The overall detailing is really fascinating. I have found the post extremely useful, informative and effective. Thanks for sharing. By the way let me inform you that I recently came across a website: Numerology
    which I found very authentic since it did a very accurate astrological analysis. It’s quite amazing. I think you can also try it out at once.

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  5. Replies
    1. The tally system imaged above would be the easiest - like on the Kensington.

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  6. What would 2006 be in runes? It's a significant year for me and I would like to get it for a tattoo.

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    1. Try the tally system above, that was used often on calendars.

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  7. What would I put in google to find a good image of the 9

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    1. 9 the Runic Tally, not sure my keyboard could do that to type it in? Try searching for Runic Numbers for some examples - I found most examples from Google Books.

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  8. Replies
    1. The tally system might be better to use, like on the calendars.

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  9. Thats runes (alphabet) not numbers

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