Algiz

*Algiz, sometimes *Elhaz, is the reconstructed Proto-Germanic name for the runic|ᛉ rune, representing the Proto-Germanic terminal "-z" (from PIE word-final "*-s"). The reconstructed word "*algiz" (meaning "elk") is based on the name of the Anglo-Saxon "eolh" ("elk") which is of the same shape but represented a different sound. Like much of the Proto-Germanic language, it is not attested in any known text.

Like the Ing-rune, *Algiz differs from the other runes because it was named acrophonically, since the sound it represents is a suffix. The Proto-Germanic terminal "z" (continuing Proto-Indo-European terminal "s") became obsolete, and the rune is usually transcribed as "ʀ" for Proto-Norse and Old Norse. The sound eventually became the terminal "-r" in Old Norse, but its continuation in the "yr"-rune (see below) shows that there was still a phonemic difference between -"r" and -"ʀ" in Old East Norse (the Swedish and Danish dialect of Old Norse) in the 11th century.

History

Elder Futhark

In the Elder Futhark, the reconstructed name "*Algiz" is given to the rune. *Algiz represents the sound of the letter "Z" in the Elder Futhark. In the 8th century, the Elder Futhark began to be replaced by the Younger Futhark in Scandinavia.

Gothic Futhark

In the Gothic alphabet, the Gothic letter , called Ezec, is identified with the rune. Like the Elder Futhark, the sound value of the term was that of "Z" but the name of the rune is of uncertain meaning.Dobbie (1942).]

Anglo-Saxon futhorc

Recorded in the Anglo-Saxon rune poem, the shape of the rune appears in the Anglo-Saxon futhorc alphabet, as runic|ᛉ "Eolh". However, instead of representing the sounds of the letter "Z" as in the Elder Futhark and Gothic Futhark, it here represents the sound of the letter "X".

Younger Futhark

As the Younger Futhark gradually began to replace the Elder Futhark, the shape of the *Algiz rune appears again as "Yr" runic|ᛦ "yew". The shape is also continued in another character in the Younger Futhark; "Maðr" runic|ᛘ ("man"), replacing the Elder Futhark runic|ᛗ rune "*Mannaz".

Modern usage

Guido von List and influence

The "Madr" and "Yr" runes in Guido von List's Armanen Futharkh were very loosely based on the Younger Futhark. List's runes were later adopted and modified by Karl Maria Wiligut who was responsible for their adoptions by the NSDAP and subsequently used widely on insignia and literature during the Third Reich.

Based on this association, the rune is still used by various Neo-Nazi groups like the National Alliance. From the official National Alliance website: "The Life Rune signifies life, creation, birth, rebirth, and renewal. It expresses in a single symbol the raison d’etre of the National Alliance and of the movement of Aryan renewal." [http://www.natall.com/rune.html] The symbol is used throughout the website.]

Germanic Neopaganism

Various forms of the *Algiz rune are commonly used by various Germanic Neopagan groups as a symbol of their religion.

Notes

References

*Dobbie, Elliott Van Kirk (1942). "The Anglo-Saxon Minor Poems". Columbia University Press ISBN 0231087705
*Page, R. I. (1999). [http://books.google.com/books?id=SgpriZdKin0C "An Introduction to English Runes"] , page 71. Boydell Press ISBN 085115946X

ee also

*Elder Futhark
*Younger Futhark