rune
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rune
A character from the old Germanic alphabet that was used before the introduction of the Latin script. Runes were often carved into stone, wood, or metal.
Auf dem alten Gedenkstein waren mehrere Runen eingraviert.
Several runes were engraved on the old memorial stone.
rune
In modern esotericism, a symbol used for divination or magical rituals, often on small stones or wooden tablets.
Sie legte die Runen, um einen Blick in ihre Zukunft zu werfen.
She laid out the runes to get a glimpse into her future.
The verb often reveals the meaning. Historical runes are 'geritzt' (scratched/carved), 'gemeißelt' (chiseled), or 'entziffert' (deciphered). Esoteric runes used for fortune-telling are 'gelegt' (laid out), 'geworfen' (cast), or 'gelesen' (read).
Der Archäologe versuchte, die Runen auf dem Schwert zu entziffern.
The archaeologist tried to decipher the runes on the sword.
In a historical context, runes are often 'geritzt' (scratched/carved) or 'gemeißelt' (chiseled) into hard materials (e.g. stone, wood, metal). A text passage in this script is called an 'Inschrift in Runen' (inscription in runes).
Die Inschrift in Runen war nur noch schwer zu lesen.
The inscription in runes was now very difficult to read.
Runes were the written characters of Germanic tribes, e.g. the Vikings, before the Latin script became established. They therefore have a strong connection to the mythology and ancient history of Northern Europe.
Im Geschichtsunterricht lernten wir über die Bedeutung der Runen für die Wikinger.
In history class, we learned about the importance of runes for the Vikings.
In esoteric usage, there are fixed expressions such as 'Runen legen/werfen' (to lay out/cast runes) to begin a divination, or 'aus den Runen lesen' (to read from the runes) to interpret a prediction.
Er behauptet, er könne aus den Runen die Zukunft lesen.
He claims he can read the future from the runes.
sign / symbol
Here, Zeichen is the general term for an element of a writing system. A Rune, by contrast, is a character from the old Germanic alphabet. Use Rune when this historical origin is known and important; otherwise, Zeichen is the more general term.
In den Stein ist eine Rune aus dem alten germanischen Alphabet geritzt.
A rune from the old Germanic alphabet has been carved into the stone.
In den Stein ist ein altes Zeichen unbekannter Herkunft geritzt.
An old character of unknown origin has been carved into the stone.
