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Fe (rune)

The Fe rune ᚠ represents the f-sound. It is the first letter of the Futhark alphabet. Its name means "(mobile) wealth", cognate to English fee with an original meaning "sheep" or "cattle" (German Vieh, Sanskrit pashu). The reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is fehu. The name is recorded in all three rune poems:

ᚠ Fé vældr frænda róge;
føðesk ulfr í skóge.
Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen;
the wolf lives in the forest.
Fé er frænda róg
ok flæðar viti
ok grafseiðs gata
aurum fylkir.
Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen
and fire of the sea
and path of the serpent.
Feoh byþ frofur fira gehwylcum;
sceal ðeah manna gehwylc miclun hyt dælan
gif he wile for drihtne domes hleotan.
Wealth is a comfort to all men;
yet must every man bestow it freely,
if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.

The corresponding letter of the Gothic alphabet is 𐍆 f, called faihu. Such correspondence between all rune poems and the Gothic letter name, as well, is uncommon, and gives the reconstructed name of the Old Futhark a high degree of certainty.

Last updated: 08-02-2005 14:47:03
Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46