Mannaz
Lang 1pg
Lang 2oe
Lang 3on
Name 1mannaz
Name 2man[n]
Name 3maðr
Meaning 13'man, human'
Unicode hex 1216D7
Unicode hex3a16D8
Unicode hex3b16D9
Transliteration 13m
Transcription 13m
Ipa 13[m]
Position 1220
Position 314

Mannaz is the conventional name of the /m/ rune of the Elder Futhark. It is derived from the reconstructed Proto-Germanic (or Common Germanic) word for 'man', mannaz.

The Younger Futhark equivalent is maðr ('man'). It took up the shape of the algiz rune , replacing Elder Futhark .

As its sound value and form in the Elder Futhark indicate, it is derived from the letter for /m/, 𐌌, in the Old Italic alphabets, ultimately from the Greek letter mu (uppercase Μ, lowercase μ).

Rune poems

The rune is recorded in all three rune poems, in the Norwegian and Icelandic poems as maðr, and in the Anglo-Saxon poem as man.

Rune poem[1]English translation

Old Norwegian:

Old Icelandic:

Old English:

Modern usage

For the 'man' rune of the Armanen Futharkh as the 'life' rune in Germanic mysticism, see Lebensrune.

References

  1. ^ Original poems and translation from the Rune Poem Page Archived 1999-05-01 at the Wayback Machine ("Ragnar's Ragweed Forge").