The Old Ways

Younger Futhark · Freyr's Ætt

Þurs

“Giant / Thurs” · sound Þ (Th) · THOORS

What Þurs means

Destructive forces, chaos, the untamed powers that test and strengthen — Thor's eternal adversaries

In the older 24-rune Elder Futhark, Þurs corresponds to Thurisaz.

Þurs 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.

Þurs vældr kvinna kvillu; / kátr værðr fár af illu.
“Giant causes women's grief; few are cheerful from misfortune.”
Norwegian Rune Poem (13th c.)
Þurs er kvenna kvöl / ok kletta búi / ok varðrúnar verr.
“Giant is women's torment / and cliff-dweller / and husband of the giantess.”
Icelandic Rune Poem (15th c.)