Younger Futhark · Freyr's Ætt
Ræið
“Riding / Journey” · sound R · RAYTH
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What Ræið means
Travel, movement, the rhythm of the road — both physical and spiritual journeys require courage to begin
In the older 24-rune Elder Futhark, Ræið corresponds to Raidho.
Ræið 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.
Ræið kveða rossom væsta; / Reginn sló sværðet bæzta.
“Riding is said to be worst for horses; Regin forged the best sword.”
Reið er sitjandi sæla / ok snúðig ferð / ok jórs erfiði.
“Riding is a blessed sitting / and a swift journey / and the horse's toil.”