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Ancient scripts, symbols and legands

For many years now we have been using runes, symbols and other text in our leather work, but what does it all mean? and why do use it?

This post will try and help decipher some of the words and the meanings behind them as well giving an insight into our connection with these symbols

Runes

Runes have been used by many cultures and races over the years each with their own language, our runes are based around the Viking script, or elder furthark (old norse), but runes were also used in Britain in a distinct form (Futhorc: Anglo-Saxon Runes).

Although each runic symbol has its own meaning it can also be combined with others to form words of meanings, in some cases they do not have any true translation to English as in the case of AJUA (pictured) but a close translation is good luck or be safe so F = A <> = J N=U and of course the A is repeated or ANSUZ (A) represents an Estuary. It symbolizes the Mouth, Communication, Understanding, Inspiration , JERA (J/Y) represents the Year. It symbolizes Cycles, Completion, Changes, Harvest, Reaping Rewards, URUZ (U) represents a Bull. It symbolizes Strength, Tenacity, Courage, Untamed Potential, Freedom.

 

Many of our cuffs have what might be call pigeon Norse as they are direct translations of English words such as love or hope. Below we see the word Love written so r=L the OTHALA symbol = O P=v M=E or to give each symbol there meaning:

 

LAGUZ (L) represents Water. It symbolizes Intuition, Emotions, Flow, Renewal, Dreams, Hopes & Fears

OTHALA (O) represents Inheritance. It symbolizes Ancestry, Possessions, Heritage, Experience, Value.

WUNJO (V/W) represents Joy. It symbolizes Pleasure, Comfort, Harmony, Prosperity, Reward, Success.

EIHWAZ (EI) represents a Yew Tree. It symbolizes Balance, Enlightenment, Death, The World Tree.

For more about he meanings of elder furthark have a look at Shieldmaiden’s Sanctum blog

Symbols and imagery

Threecopse HQ is our own 64 acres of woodland in the heart of the Southdowns National Park Nr Clanfield, Hampshire. Thought a bit of detective work we are slowly understanding the archaeology and there for the history of the woodland, this history spans more than 3000 years and includes both lumps and bumps in the ground and the woodland flora its self.

from this we know that the woodland although ancient is not Primary woodland partly because there are field systems across most of the woodland as well as burial mounds but this is also backed up by the lack of tree and plant species such as small leaved lime.

So, the landscape in which we work is in affect a pagan landscape with a bit of ww2 to add to the fun.

So going back to the symbols we use on our leather items we try to take inspiration from the ancient landscape.

The tree of life is a symbol used by many cultures throughout the world but it has its basis in Europe with the tree said to represent the Ash tree.