Rune
Runes are signs from historical Germanic alphabets. They are also used in modern systems of symbolic interpretation.
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 24-sign Elder Futhark and 16-sign Younger Futhark belong to different periods; «Viking» does not describe every runic set.
An example to explore
Learn a sign's name and written value before exploring its interpretation in the modern method you have chosen.
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.