Futhark
Futhark names a family of runic alphabets, taking its name from their opening sequence of signs.
How to approach it
The order of signs forms part of their meaning. Start with the structure and the names of its components, then compare interpretations without mixing different systems.
An important distinction
The Elder Futhark has 24 signs; the Younger Futhark used in the Viking Age has 16. They are different alphabets.
An example to explore
Identify the alphabet when studying an inscription, then distinguish its written values from modern esoteric interpretations.
Taking the idea further
In this website’s application: This modern variant uses the 24 Elder Futhark runes. Choose three different runes: past, present and future, in that order. Each may be upright or reversed; the same rune cannot occur again in another orientation.