Wooden runes – Elder Futhark in poplar plywood, 5–40 cm

You lay the symbols out in front of you and run your fingers over the smooth wood. You feel how much calm this ancient alphabet holds. These wooden Elder Futhark runes are made for moments like this. Use them for casting and reading, put them up as wall lettering or complete your Viking decor with them. Each symbol arrives untreated. You can paint, stain or oil it to suit you.

What changes for you

• You put together your own rune set or custom text. Each rune is sold individually, so you combine exactly what you need.
• Your project really fits its spot. You can choose from eight heights from 5 cm to 40 cm, from a small oracle symbol to large wall lettering.
• You decorate it exactly the way you like. The poplar plywood is untreated and can be painted, covered, oiled or drilled.
• Your decor looks all of a piece. Each rune is cleanly laser-cut and has the typical brown edge that clearly defines its outline.

Why these wooden runes make a difference in everyday life

Anyone can hang up a printed poster. Real wooden runes have a different presence. You pick them up, lay them out and rearrange them. Your room feels grounded and a little mysterious at the same time. Whether on the wall or as symbols for reading on the table, the runes bring a piece of Nordic history into your home without being intrusive.

Material & finish

The runes are made from 3 mm poplar plywood. We laser-cut them ourselves in our own production in Pößneck. That is where the characteristic brown edge comes from, which gives each symbol a clear outline. The surface is untreated and takes paint, glue or oil well. Wood is a purely natural material, so every rune turns out slightly different. Some are lighter, some darker, each with its own grain or small knots. This makes every piece one of a kind. It is not a flaw, it is real character.

Dimensions & technical details

• Material: poplar plywood, natural (untreated)
• Material thickness: 3 mm
• Script: Elder Futhark (the first runic alphabet with 24 symbols)
• Choice of height: 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm or 40 cm
• Each rune is made and delivered individually
• Laser-cut with the typical brown edge, clean finish

How to use the wooden runes

• For casting and reading: You spread the symbols out in front of you. You have an oracle set made of real wood that feels heavier and easier to grip than paper cards.
• As wall lettering: You line up your custom text in runic script. Your guests are sure to stop and ask what it says.
• For crafts and painting: You decorate each rune with paint or oil as you imagine it. Your set becomes a one-off of your own. It also makes a gift for friends who love Nordic history.
• At a medieval market or in a shop: Large runes up to 40 cm high show at a glance that your stall or shop window is all about Vikings and Germanic tribes. Quick to put up, effective for a long time.

Good to know about the runes of the Elder Futhark

The Elder Futhark is the very first runic alphabet. It has 24 symbols that all Germanic tribes used in the same form. The word rune itself means secret. People who study the meaning of the Futhark runes read them as symbols for becoming, being and passing away. That is why the symbols work both as letters for lettering and for casting and reading.

Care & durability

There is not much you need to do. Keep the untreated runes dry and they will hold their shape and look good for a long time. If you oil or paint them, you give the surface extra protection and your own shade.

Options & what's included

• Choice of height: 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm and 40 cm
• Each rune is sold individually – put together your own set or custom text
• You receive the symbol you chose in the size you chose, untreated and unpainted

Frequently asked questions

Are the runes treated or varnished? No, the poplar plywood is untreated. You can paint it, cover it, oil it or leave it as it is.

Can I put together my own lettering? Yes, each rune is sold individually. Simply choose the symbols for your text and the right size yourself.

Why do the runes have a brown edge? The symbols are laser-cut. The brown edge forms naturally in the process and emphasises the outline of each rune.

Do all the runes look exactly the same? The shape does, the wood does not. As a natural material, poplar plywood can be lighter or darker and shows small differences in the grain. This makes every piece one of a kind.

Plywood and laser technology are only the means. What counts is the moment you lay the symbols out in front of you. You hold an alphabet in your hands that is older than any book. Just choose your runes and the right size. You design the rest.