The Old Ways

Younger Futhark · Hagall's Ætt

Hagall

“Hail” · sound H · HAH-gahl

What Hagall means

Disruption from above, the cold seed that becomes spring's water — destruction precedes renewal

In the older 24-rune Elder Futhark, Hagall corresponds to Hagalaz.

Hagall in the rune poems

The Norwegian and Icelandic rune poems are the medieval testimony to the sixteen Younger Futhark runes — the oldest verse describing each stave by name.

Hagall er kaldastr korna; / Kristr skóp hæimenn forna.
“Hail is the coldest grain; Christ shaped the ancient world.”
Norwegian Rune Poem (13th c.)
Hagall er kaldakorn / ok krapadrífa / ok snáka sótt.
“Hail is cold grain / and driving sleet / and the sickness of serpents.”
Icelandic Rune Poem (15th c.)