![]() The Goddess of Love, Freyja, is a central figure in Norse mythology, embodying love, beauty, and fertility. James Doyle Penrose (1862-1932), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons It’s a reminder of the importance of happiness and joy in life, and the role they play in a balanced and fulfilling existence. The rune is also linked to harmony and well-being, reflecting a state of contentment and peace. It represents the culmination of efforts, the reward at the end of a journey, or the realization of a wish. This rune is traditionally associated with joy, pleasure, and fulfillment. ![]() Now, let’s delve into the symbolic heart of Wunjo. In Old Norse, for example, it was pronounced as a “v.” Symbolic Meaning of the Wunjo Rune In the Proto-Germanic language, Wunjo represented the sound “w,” as in “wind.” As Germanic languages evolved, so did the pronunciation of this rune. However, the traditional form remains the most recognized and used. Some inscriptions show the rune with more curved branches or with the branches angled to the left. Historically, variations of Wunjo’s design have been found. It is forming a shape reminiscent of a flag on a golf course. It’s composed of a vertical line with a leaf, or triangular flag, angled to the right at the top. Visually, Wunjo is a simple yet elegant rune. Space Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Consequently, this gives us a glimpse into the mindset of the ancient Germanic peoples, showing us that they valued joy and sought it in their lives. Rooted in the Proto-Germanic “*wunjō,” it’s associated with joy, pleasure, and even wishes. Transitioning to its origins, the etymology of “Wunjo” is intriguing. Wunjo, along with its runic siblings, belonged to this widespread alphabet, and we can find it today on ancient artifacts that could be as old as two thousand years. Germanic tribes of people from the Iron Age and into the Viking Age used the Elder Futhark across Europe. The name comes from Old Norse, translating roughly to “joy” or “bliss.” ![]() It follows Gebo and precedes Hagalaz from the second aett. Wunjo, the eighth rune in this alphabet is the last rune in the first aett, associated with Freyja and Freyr. Let’s start at the beginning, with the Elder Futhark, the oldest form of the runic alphabets. Wunjo in the Younger Futhark – The Vanishing Joy.On this topic, not even the stones will say. The runic symbols remain ambiguous - is this a good journey for Dani, or a bad one? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel, or is it winking out? Has she found a new family, or lost herself? So even though he uses the runes to add another layer of meaning to Midsommar, Aster still doesn't outright tell us how to understand the film's conclusion. Because of the symmetry of Dagaz, some guides say the rune does not have an inverse meaning, while others claim that drawing the rune turned on its side - the way it is embroidered on Dani's dress - means something like " hopelessness." As Chamberlain points out in her guide, a reverse Raido can mean "ou may be merely being 'rerouted' on your journey, to ultimately end up with an even better outcome than hoped for."ĭagaz (ᛞ) normally means an awakening, dawn, or a new beginning, and "most interpretations of this rune are positive," writes Paxson. In its inverse, it suggests "crisis" or "death." But as is the case with reading runes more generally, what it means for Dani's journey is up to your personal interpretation. Raido (ᚱ) is used in its regular form to mean travel, journey, or reunion. When Dani is eventually given a traditional dress of her own, it bears two likewise inverted runes: "Raido" and "Dagaz." Presumably that sentiment here refers to the sacrifice of the living and dead tributes locked within the temple, who are about to give their bodies back to the Earth so the cult can continue to grow food and prosper. The rune Gebo (ᚷ), meanwhile, is strongly associated with gifts and generosity. Inguz (ᛜ) is a fertility symbol - befitting of a sex cult - with Chamberlain writing that it suggests "the springtime energy of plant life emerging after the depths of winter, and the procreation of all life on Earth." Since the temple the symbol is painted on is about to be burned down as a means of extreme and especially morbid fertilization, its appearance here makes sense. While there are no runes in the Elder or Younger Futhark alphabets that look like the ones on the yellow panels above, there are individual runes "ᛜ" and "ᚷ." Here they seem to be locked together, communicating a shared meaning. When runes are woven together into a single image they are said to be "bound" (see the Bluetooth symbol as one example you already likely know).
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