How NOT to Get a Viking Rune Tattoo!
Vložit
- čas přidán 19. 06. 2022
- So, you want a badass Viking rune tattoo, eh? Don't blame you! They're pretty neat. But there's a lot of choice out there and plenty of mistakes to make when you're getting your runes inked, and you wouldn't be the first to get a totally different word than the one you wanted on your skin!
You'll know your Elder Futhark from your Younger Futhark and your Anglo-Saxon from your Medieval by the end of this whirlwind look at Runes, Runic tattoos, and some of the good and bad of the world of Viking influenced body art! Yes. there will also be Nazis.
We might even get time to look at some fun archaeology and runestones while we're at it! Hooray for history!
Some more of Sean's work on Instagram at @sacred_knot_tattoo
Find me elsewhere:
Business email: jade@scarletragemedia.com
Patreon: / jimmyjohnson
Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/thewelshviking
New merch: the-welsh-viking.creator-spri...
My actual website: www.welshviking.com
Insta: @littlewelshviking
Letters, parcels, post:
The Welsh Viking,
PO Box 821,
YORK,
YO1 0PY - Zábava
My favorite runic inscription is on a weaving knife (a tool used to push the threads up into the warp when weaving,) and it reads "mun þu mik man þik : un þu m(e)r an þRr" which means "think of me as I think of you. Love me as I love you."
Probably just something a man carved for his wife, but entirely awesome.
Almost certainly something the weaver was given by someone who loved her.
I don't have any tattoos, much less runic ones, I do however have a friend who had a Chinese character tattooed on his arm thinking that it meant "Good Fortune". However when a mutual friend of ours (from China) showed up at my house, he asked me, "Why does Danny have 'Sesame Chicken' tattooed on his arm?"
Lesson being, if you don't read the language, don't get it tattooed on your body
Hahahahaha... I love those stories!
These stories... There must surely be some Chinese-fluent tattooists out there who are 100% trolling their clients 🙈
You all would have loved a blog called "hanzi smatter". From the top of my head, done by a Chinese guy with excellent English skills and one more language (Japanese?), dedicated to the nonsense people get up to with (mainly the Chinese and Japanese main) alphabet. Last time I checked it was not getting updated, sadly, but if it still exists,it has a treasure trove of terrible tattoo choices
Firstly, glad you're feeling better and are back!
Was at a tattoo shop that does handpoking in Germany and a person in Bundeswehr Uniform walks in asking for a black sun "rune".
They asked him to leave, no questions asked!
YES
« people know there are different runic alphabets, right? »
Ah ah ah ! As a tattoo artist in Sweden, I can safely say “no they don’t” ^^
I still remember that dude who wanted “Stockholm” written in runes, and had mixed no less than 3 different alphabets. When I suggested a more appropriate spelling using only one alphabet (younger futhark) the guy looked at my suggestion and then told me “yeaaaah no, I like it better how I wrote it”
(you mean wrong?)
ps: I admit I didn’t even try explaining that Stockholm is a rather recent town that really wasn’t around in the viking age ^^’
Stockholm was founded in the 13th century, so medieval runes would be most appropriate, although Latin script dominated by then.
@@ragnkja I know, I suggested younger futhark as a compromise since the guy wanted something “viking-y”, so at least the name of the city that didn’t exist yet would be written in something that would have been understandable during the Viking age XD
Like (unfortunately) a lot of people, he wanted something that “looked” right and “pretty” instead of something that was actually accurate ^^’
(I do have tons of anecdotes like that.)
(And I didn’t even mention the fact that he “translated” each letter of Stockholm in runes, soooo yeah. Not interested in accuracy 😂)
Personally, it's Ogham or nothing for me! 😆
I was just thinking that perhaps this could be best addressed as part of a list of things tattoo artists ask: “how old are you”, “are you drunk or high,” “are you really sure you want your significant other’s name permanently inked on your body,” and “have you checked to make sure these runes were not invented by evil nerds trying to justify committing crimes against humanity?”
As a general rule, the Runic Symbols are NOT an alphabet. They are called FUTHARK 's, after the first 6 symbols in the first row. Also, there is a time point in each of the Futharks. Elder, Younger and Anglo-Saxon. Each appearing in its own time in History. Skal
It certainly wouldnt hurt to do a lot more videos on which "common knowledge" about the past is full on or at least heavily influenced by Nazi propaganda, because it is a lot.
No jodas las runas nazi no existen por que no las inventaron
Ni tampoco el conjunto armado de runas
I've been thinking about getting another tat in runes, and I want it to be authentic. What type of electric tattoo machine did the Celts use?
A friend of mine, who knows all the things about Runes, once told a patron at his bar, after trying to explain the complexity of Runes, "Dude, I've tried to be polite... your f***ing tattoo says "Wngr Blps Ep"." (Tattoo was trying to read 'Thor bless me'.)
Older futhark then?
Thank you for this public service.
Once upon a time in my foolish youth, I went out for a few drinks with friends. I stepped outside to smoke.
There was a guy with a big runic tattoo and my drunken brain went "Ah, an attractive young pagan man." So I bummed a light off him and tried to chat him up about his cool tattoo. He replied, "Thanks, yeah I got that one off one of my arian brothers in prison." So I nodded and then turned around and walked home. When you're so drunk you accidentally try to hit on a nazi, that's it for the night.
lol
I tried explaining to some guy that if he wants words in runes on his back that he has to translate it to old Norse first, he looked at me like I sprouted another head.
I think the first thing to avoid are tattoos of the cast from "Vikings". (And yes I've seen some people who have these, and some who have taken it WAAAAY too far.)
My own experience - sees Rune pendant - description says "this rune carries the meanings of "determination, persistence, freedom, courage, will and territoriality". "Oooh", thinks I, "that speaks to me, I'll get it". Later watching video by (weirdly American) expert on Runes and so on and he says, "this rune means "drizzle or a light rain".
And now I feel like I'm in a Terry Pratchett novel.
Born to Rune
rofl
More bullshit than the floor of a Texas steer house.
...I have a rune tattoo. This was some really anxious 18 minutes cause I thought I did my research. Im in the clear. I think. I have two lines of ELDER futhark over and under a spear. Its GIBBERISH, because the words are english, but it's the last bit of life advice from my father before he passed. Im okay with that gibberish because it's so personal. It might be a little cringey, but I rather be cringey than have people wonder if I'm an asshole or a bigot.
I struggle with both depression and anxiety. Dont ever apologize for taking time for your mental health. It's so important. Thanks for the great video!
I have a work colleague who has a wolf head with a Vegvisir in the forehead of the wolf. When he showed me he said he had a "Viking compass". He was not impressed when I explained that the symbol is a Christian symbol and has no basis in the Viking age/pre christian europe.
I had to convince an ex friend how bad of an idea it was to get a rune tattoo if she didn't actually know any kind of runes. She came to me with a bunch of runes that were supposed to read something along the lines of "Bless me Freya, bring spring to my life"
What she showed me was a bunch of Guido runes used to spell out English words mixed with symbols from the show supernatural.
Oh gods Supernatural was the absolute bane of my existence for a little while because research for any kind of magic, monster or ghost would end up with 'information' in there which when googled for independently came directly from the show. Made writing research absolutely hellish.
New mug slogan... "Be a Good Nerd"
Go for the history/rune video :)
Ooh! There's an idea!
“Use your Nerdic powers for good” is probably too long to go on a mug.. perhaps that’s why they shortened it to “use the force”
Depends on the size of the mug 😉. Saw one of my friends at the weekend and he's got a 2 litre travel mug 🤣🤣
@@SigneofHorses We could always have it tattooed - in runes. ;)
Quick tipp: look up if by german law the one u want to have is forbidden to show in public😅
Oh, very good tip!
Easy way to avoid the absolute worst ones.
And it makes it easy to figure out the Nazis at the museum events - like a few years back in Hedeby. We got to kick one out one year! It was awesome 😀
Historical research and educational purposes are excepted, so his video would be legal.
Not really a good tip *sic*
I give you one example: the rune Sowilo, which is a part of the elder futharg, was described by von List as "Siegrune" (Rune of Victory). Of course the Nazis used this, and used Sowilo for the SS, the Hitlerjugend and some other occasions.
Sowilo is therefore forbidden and you may only use it in historical context, like re-enactment. Not everything that is forbidden because of Nazi-context is non historical.
Btw: during my own studies i sold juwelry for a living, including runes. I was allowed to sell Sowilo, but only on medieval fairs.
I have a friend that is from Japan, I remember we were in a bar and she burst out laughing. When I asked her why, she pointed to an attractive woman at the end of the bar, with a Kanji tattoo. My friend whispered in my ear saying, it meant "write something clever"
"Use your nerd powers for good," is good advice.
I hope that people will be honest that they like certain things because they look cool, and not justifying it by it being “authentic” and “historically accurate”. If you think the Vikings tv show look is cool, that’s totally fine, just don’t try to claim it’s based on any historical evidence because it’s not. Just admit that you like the things you like, there’s no need to make up some fake reason why it’s historical or whatever!
I love my tattoos, I’ve got some that are based off of cave paintings, and others that are copied from some Scythian tattoos found during archaeological digs. As a Swede, it annoys me how the N*zis made up a lot of total bollocks regarding my country’s actual history, their atrocities are obviously a million times worse but the fake history nonsense annoys me as a nerd who likes history in general, along with Norse history in particular.
Googles "Viking artifacts." Finds pic of one with runes. Gets tattoo of said runes. Unknowingly walks around with "This is Erik's favorite comb," written on arm.😁
🤣🤣 I saw an American guy in New Zealand with Māori tattoo that labeled him a land thief.
As a professional tattooist, I generally try to avoid using runes in tattoos, as they’re more of a detail element for my work. I do a lot of large scale pieces like sleeves and backpieces. I always encourage my clients to explore their own family history and try to find examples of regional knotwork instead.
So, weird coincidence... Last year, my husband was looking at getting a new tattoo and wanted a mjölnir design, realised it had become all n*zi-fied (the bastards) and settled on a Pokéball instead...
@@fredbologn2344 if you read carefully, I said my husband got it. But I also have a cartoon symbol tattooed on my body, because I have a deep and abiding love for Invader Zim. And also because what I choose to decorate my body with is no one's concern but my own.
@@fredbologn2344 how to tell the world you vote republican without saying so many words...
Anyone promoting people being more like Tolkien is an A+ person in my book! So any videos you want to make, I’m happy to watch : )
One tip I got from my Latin teacher about tattoos was to do your own research and translation! Don’t call up the university and ask them to do it for you. Most of the department was cool with confirming someone’s work, but most people want them to put the effort in. That’s how you end up with an insult tattooed on you!
I have the sudden urge to get a tweed suit and sit against a grand old tree now.
"Anything above 20 degrees is too much for me" laughs in Alabama being 32+ degrees all week.
Before you comment yes, I converted stupid American Fahrenheit to the much superior Celsius, it's just really hot down here.
Writing from Rome, Italy...I feel you there, mr Natherson...perhaps it's not 32° every single day, but if by 8 P.M there's still 27°, it's too damn hot for me...
Poor Brits, they really suffer.
Yes. When Jimmy said the 20 was too hot, I laughed in Californian. At 20 Celsius, we put the heater on.
@@JWRogersPS I'm from Arizona. We're convinced we'll freeze to death at that temp
@@martinajohnson I was born in Italy but my father's Swedish...that must have done something because I love winter, and everything over 25° is waaaaay too much, so I was quite feeling Jimmy here!! Still, I suppose that it wouldn't be as hot in the British islands as it is here in Rome, where there is so much humidity that it looks as if you're in the pants of the devil. While he's jogging. In hell. Or something...
Still, wish it'd get cooler, even if technically it's the first day of summer now...
"a medieval author exaggerating"
😂😂 **Laughs in Geoffrey of Chaucer**
3:00 just to clarify because tattooed warrior women are my jam, that’s a 5th c bce depiction of a thracian woman killing orpheus, not a greek woman
Yes.
Do I want to watch you nerd out on a topic you genuinely enjoy researching? yes. Yes I do.
Hey, thanks for your bravery in acknowledging your human frailty in a public way. I too have a long history of riding a mental health roller coaster. Speaking about this subject, and making it about "us" rather than "them" is what breaks down the stereotypes and stigma of mental health challenges. Big thumbs up, and keep safe.
It always boggles my mind that people actually get things inked on their body without actually doing the research. Much like bad not really Norse tattoos, there are so many Chinese and Japanese tats that do not say what people think they say. Spending a year living and working in China and going through the effort of actually learning how to read them (to the limited degree I managed) I know enough to see the odd bit of ink and have to bite my tongue when the person its attached to expounds on how significant and meaningful their symbol for strength or wisdom or love is, when what it actually says is cabbage. I mean, the character looks nice, but all you needed was a dictionary to find the thing you actually wanted.
I do have a word inked in my skin in a language and alphabet not my own. I have a laurel wreath with Athena under it in Greek lettering on my ankle, which I got after running the Athens (or rather the Marathon to Athens) marathon. Having 'Athens' rather than 'Athena' seemed silly as that's not what people who live there call the city. Not much research needed there, just finding a good artist who did a number of pieces for our running group. It was a somewhat spontaneous decision, but it was over a decade ago, and I still have no regrets about that or any of my other (far more planned and prepped ahead of time) ink.
That's a really good point. Do a genuine tattoo properly and you won't regret it!
I got a Japanese tattoo that was extremely well done, but didn't say what I thought. Now there's a massive raccoon covering it, at least the raccoon doesn't mean anything lol
Use your nerd powers for good; be a good nerd. Words to live by.
Use Your Nerd Powers For Good is the t shirt merch this channel has waited for.
The same advice applies to getting tattoos in any language that is not your native tongue: Do. Your. Research. Also, responsible tattoo artists do not tattoo drunk people. It is basic customer protection. Always get your tattoos done safely by a professional.
There are two reasons tattoo artists don’t tattoo drunk people: alcohol thins the blood and makes them bleed more, and obviously the increased risk of regret.
I've been half thinking about getting the old norse words for east and west tattooed onto my hands. just as a private joke about my dyslexic ass always mixing them up the first time
That ancient dog is marvellous.
He is my new prince.
No slight on your content, but the ancient dog with the white muzzle sauntering past at their own pace was the best part of this video.
He will be the subject of all future videos and content. My new prince.
Great. I'll add "getting viking rune tattoo" to my list of things not to do while drunk! (I don't drink)
Don’t get a tattoo from anyone who will tattoo a drunk person. It reeks of bad practice in general.
I hate That 20 years of nazi use of Nordic Symbols has to make us neglect Part of our History (Im Danish) This goes for other Cultures who had some of the Symbols
It doesn’t. Just be wary of them faking stuff
“Don’t mix the futharks” is the new “Don’t cross the streams”. Put it on a T-shirt. 😁
Glad you're feeling better Jimmy! I actually have a runic tattoo. It's an Algiz filled in with the rainbow Pride flag, partially to symbolize my need for protection as a queer/trans person in these times, but also because I wanted that rune and I also... wanted people to know I'm not a douche.
Anyway, great video, and again, welcome back!
"only use your nerd powers for good"
Jimmy coming through with the sage wisdom
This is the way, or whatevs I guess
Saying it loud for the people at the back: don't get ANY words or symbols tattooed unless you actually know what they say! This goes for all those poor souls with "egg fried rice" in Chinese characters tattooed on their arms.
"Only use your Nerd-Powers for good" --Love it!
As an Icelander, can I add that combining Icelandic staves (which weren't documented until like 1000 years after the Viking Age) with 'viking age' imagery is just daft. Using Vegvísir for the 'viking age' is like having an F-16 as a 'Battle of Britain' tattoo. I have face palmed so many times from people using Icelandic staves as 'viking tattoos' that I have a permanently disfigured nose.
Ok but hear me out F-16 in the battle of Britain is hella metal
@@LoisoPondohva Ikr now I want to see that as a time travel movie!
You just saved me from a big mistake! I literally was planning a helm of awe tattoo, so looks like I'm going into a runic deep-dive to find something better 😂
Thank you for existing, Jimmy.
I really needed this today, so thank you right back :)
@@TheWelshViking Teamwork ;)
@@cakeeeetime
You must be the Younger, since you didn't end your comment with a call for the destruction of Carthage.
Also, agreed.
@@eldorados_lost_searcher Thank you! I didn't think I would smile again today.
I am Cato the Resent :D
And I end every senate debate with:
"Fuck the polis!"
And then smash my hemlock cup to die another day!
(I know I mixed up a lot of empires here ;)
I think the general rule should be to only get tattoos of languages you're actually literate in. Because it's easy enough to look up words in a different language, but if you don't understand the language mashing words together could result in some pretty epic fails. Like, imagine if there was a non-English speaker who decided to get a tattoo in English expressing their love of say dogs, and they got a tattoo saying something like 'I do dogs'.
@@annoyanceking That's amazing! Anyone who knows runes should do the same thing with inauthentic Viking tattoos. Like ask 'why does your tattoo say dog f*cker' or something else that'll make them panic.
Ages ago, when Coke was trying to branch out in Japan, they tried to translate their "Coke Adds Life" slogan. They ended up with something which basically meant, "Coke Resurrects The Dead".
@@zxyatiywariii8 That's hilarious! All this time we thought it was viruses and mad scientists that made zombies. We never knew that all we needed was just a bottle of coke.
I am one of those guys that got icelandic stave helm of awe tattoo but I don't go around saying it's Viking, I specifically chose it because I know it's history and meaning
Cool
Oh please, do more in depth video on the different alphabets. That would be awesome
I also find those deep origins fascinating and would love a video on the topic. Personally I leap at any chance to out the theosophists as a) problematic and silly and b) the source point for a shocking amount of contemporary nonsense.
I watched this video and then had a total panic! A few years ago I bought some leather stamps of runes because someone had asked me to put them on a knife sheath and wanted them stamped rather than done freehand. I had no idea that there was such a link to the far-right/fascism. Luckily it turns out the stamps are Elder Futhark runes, I’m so relieved that I hadn’t inadvertently created a Nazi knife sheath.
Thank you for your wonderful videos, they are so informative. I hope you are feeling better! xx
Sir, I must protest the comment about the Nazi's creating a Tolkien-level history. Tolkien was so far beyond the Nazi pricks it's not even funny. They were but a pale mockery of Tolkien's world. The Professor hated the Nazis with a fiery passion -
“I have in this war a burning private grudge against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler. Ruining, perverting, misapplying, and making for ever accursed, that noble northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved, and tried to present in its true light.”
and
"Do I suffer this impertinence because of the possession of a German name, or do their lunatic laws require a certificate of arisch origin from all persons of all countries? Personally, I should be inclined to refuse to give any Bestätigung (although it happens that I can), and let a German translation go hang. In any case I should object strongly to any such declaration appearing in print. I do not regard the (probable) absence of all Jewish blood as necessarily honourable; and I have many Jewish friends, and should regret giving any colour to the notion that I subscribed to the wholly pernicious and unscientific race-doctrine."
Anyway, they did not have Tolkien-level worldbuilding. Nazi's can fuck off. Also! Welcome back!
When you mentioned the ancient dog, I was really hoping you would show the dog. Imagine my delight as just a second later you inserted the video of said ancient dog walking past. It is the little things. :D
First; you're looking well. The past few years of isolation has been detrimental to my mental health and to some of my friends. I wish you better health.
Second, I'd love to see a discussion of writing systems including Ogham and Tolkien's writing systems. It's rare for me to see runes in Canada but a lot of people have Tengwar.
Third: you might be interested in the history of Canadian syllabics. They have only been used for Aboriginal languages - at one point in the 19th century the Cree had what might have been the highest literacy levels in the world.
And tangential about inappropriate lettering. Hebrew letters can look really cool - but the culture has always been strongly opposed to tattoos. And that's before the recent history of people having numbers tattooed on them.
Well now I'm neck deep in a syllabics rabbit hole!
@@TheWelshViking Syllabics, and the history of syllabics, is just so cool!
True story: One of my cousins tried adding "von" to his name to make himself sound cooler. Sadly for him he was part of the Irish Catholic side of the family so there was no shortage of us to make fun of him for doing it.
(Sending good thoughts on all the stuff you're dealing with, btw. Been there.)
vikings saying "kachow" before raiding is truly a pixar masterpiece
Hot weather tip: Freeze a water bottle overnight and either place it between your back and backpack or in a small bag (ie. a fannie pack) held against your lower back. In a pinch, roll it into the bottom of your shirt and tuck it in - just make sure there's a layer of fabric between you and the ice. It will last all day and do absolute wonders for helping you stay cooler.
random comment but thanks great tip!
Works fabulously! I finally sewed a mesh vest to put gel ice packs in to get the lawn mown without falling out, it’s 98 F with 79% humidity here today - normal summer in the southern US. 🙄
@@elizabethclaiborne6461 that's a great solution for using it regularly! I'm usually using the bottle just between 1 location and another, or I'm actually drinking from it as I hike. The vest is a great idea for longer use... i might actually make one to fit under costumes!
They used to sell neck wraps that you froze and wore during hot times outside. It really worked.
And for women, tuck a frozen (small) Ziploc bag into your cleavage, just low enough not to show above your neckline. It's pure bliss on hot days!
You mention Tolkien and Nazis and I'm put in mind of that gentleman's legendary reply to the German publishers.
I feel like anyone who watches this channel and hasn't read that already would find it very enjoyable.
"old norse and english is not the same language, do I have to say that" he say. Well, I have meet people who did not know that people from France speak French and not English with a french accent, soo... yep, I sadly think it is worth mentioning at times ^^
"I'm so Welsh; I'm not built for this" =D I'm American, four generations removed from being actually Welsh, and still not built for it either.
I’m American of Irish heritage and I am also not built for it. Heat + humidity is the death of me.
Recently,got my eldest nephew,a Viking YGGDRASIL tree pendant for his birthday;but most observers don't realise the differences between the Elder and Younger Futhark!
Also,good shout-out for mentioning the Irish/Celtic-based Ogham system which regularly gets mistaken for Futhark! 👍
If this had been our "stuff the nazis used to justify themselves" section of 12th grade history, a lot more people would have paid attention.
Glad you're doing better, I really enjoy your content!
The only issue I have with this video is not being more specific with certain runes and just blanketing them as "Nazi Runes." There are a few runes that I can think of that are legit runes that the Nazis appropriated, and those runes are the Othala ᛟ, Algiz ᛉ, Sowilo ᛊ ᛋ, Tiwaz ᛏ, and the Eihwaz ᛇ runes. All of those runes are either stylized or just straight up thrown onto Nazi banners when none of them have their origins in Nazism and all of which come from Elder Futhark.
Hell, a lot of common symbols were stolen by the Nazis like the Celtic cross, the Wolfsangel, and the Sun Cross (which is such a common and simple symbol seen throughout multiple cultures). It sucks that no one can have these runes as tattoos or really anything without fear of being called a racist even when they're not stylized. I just felt that that part of the video could use a bit more clarification. I would actually love to see a video from you about Elder Futhark runes and misconceptions about it and try to reclaim these runes from these hateful bastards.
Happy to do a video on that!
I do specify that they both made up runes and used runes stolen from other historical futharks, so I think I'm ok on that front
@@TheWelshViking That's awesome! If you end up doing a video on that I will gladly watch it! I've been binging your content for a bit and I find it to be very educational and entertaining. And I hope you continue to feel well and I wish you all the best.
Overall it was a great video and I guess I just personally believed that part wasn't clear enough for myself so I felt the need to comment. Thank you for responding.
Yes reclaim the runes from the horrible dreadful peasants!
Usually at this point I would mention that "von" is pronounced "fon", but that Guido guy isn't worth it.
I even looked up the pronunciation beforehand! Doh!
@@TheWelshViking Thank you for your awesome videos. I love your take on things.
This was probably part of Tolkien's hatred for the Nazis. "You're violent psychopaths trying to murder everybody, and also your world-building is, quite frankly, embarrassing. Ancient and revered cultural knowledge, my left foot."
Excellent point!
This is perfectly timed. I'm in hospital with really bad pneumonia. So this post was a Gods send!
Get well soon!
@@TheWelshViking thank you!
Can I choose to use my nerdiness for chaos?
Us Discordians certainly do.
Yes. Chaos brings change, and change brings learning. Resist stagnation!
Chaotic good? Absolutely!
And to anyone looking for a Paganism Magical runes thing: it's the elder futhark you want. Reading runes are elder futhark plus a blank square tile for the wyrds meaning the unknown, "fates", or the void. (roughly in greek analogues anyway. norse wyth is very much different from the mediteranian we are raised with in the west.)
As Jimmy says, learn about shit before you go around repping it up. You may very well find when you learn about the thing you may not vibe with it as much. OR, you could end up finding a better way to get an even more meaningful tattoo than you ever imagined.
Just do the learning part. It is TOTALLY worth it!
This makes me feel much better about my rune stones that I was gifted a few years back. Just checking them now I can confirm they are elder futhark. >
@@normalin1stofhisname
I honestly can't think off a time I've seen casting runes in younger futhark. Glad I could assuage your worries. :)
id be quite interested in a video exploring the nazi and proto-nazi larping, actually! if youre willing to make it im willing to watch
theres just something so FAMILIAR about how the original nazis were a bunch of big manchild nerds. like, the harm they caused cant be understated, and it really does provide a good lesson to not underestimate modern nazis just because theyre a bunch of pathetic manchild nerds, but also its just. man its really funny. they really are all of them literally the same huh
They were not all the same. Some of them didnt gave a fuck about germanic ideology most of them just wanted power. They used german ideology to brainwash their people. I highly doubt that they were nerd manchilds. A manchild wouldnt have been able to take over half of europe. But we can say one thing for sure: Nazis are the worst thing that ever happened to europe.
Ya know what they say about same-feathered birds
Came here cos I wanted a rune tattoo and ended up falling asleep. This is like asmr I could listen to this guy talk about history for hours 😂
Please do! How very sweet of you to say so
I've just found your channel and as an art historian I really like it.
Your way of treating historical subjects inspires me with confidence, you are very humble and you diferenciate between things we know and have proof of and things that are speculation.
You seem to understands how important is cultural and historicl bias, it can be difficult to wrap our heads around but many of the ideas we have for granted or conceptions about the world didint even exist back in the day, many ideas from the past no longer exist. Our way of seeing the world and ourselves have been constantly changing thanks to culture, religion, language, etc.
This is a difficult concept to understand but its extremely important when it comes to studying history.
In Germany, this might even cause legal actions, cause some of these symbols are considered as against the constitution and to wear em openly can be seen as a crime.
So if you got one - cover it, when you're in Germany (it's not illegal to have it, but to show it in public).
(Hope to translate it right)
§86a StGB - Use of symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organisations
(1) A custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty shall be imposed on anyone who
1. disseminates in Germany or uses in public, in a meeting or in content disseminated by him or her [...], the distinguishing marks of one of the parties or associations referred to in section §86(1)(1), (2) and (4) or (2) [...]
Correct. But police don’t care to do anything even if you show it unless you are at White supremacist concerts and events especially in Thüringen
Because you talked about being more Tolkien, Cassandra Clare kind of did that with The Shadowhunters Chronicles. Her characters use runes to gain abilities. She worked with the artist and designer Valerie Freire to create the runes for the books. I just had to check, which ones were the base for their runes and it were futhark, icelandic magical staves and Scytho-Sarmatian Runes, so it looks like they actually did the research to not be associated with the ones we don't want
I don't know if I really understand your comments but isn't the main shadow hunter rune literally the Othila rune?
@@melima_ it does look similar to it, but you have it curve back. They did create their own version of runes
@@librasgirl08 Ah okay thanks so much for explaining :)
*cheers in Irish* Ogham is super fun to study! Thank you for the shout out for dear Ogham, even if it is to remind silly people that it is not Viking.
It's astonishing how many people get confused by "language" vs. "alphabet"...
I'm a Tolkien linguist, and I cannot count how many times people wanted me to design Elvish tattoos for them and didn't understand the difference between transliterating English into Elvish letters (which other than with the Futhark you absolutely can do) or translating it into an Elvish language first...
agreed - anything above 20C is far too hot! it was 33C a few days ago in London and I'm now fully ready for summer to be over. 😂 lots of love to you for taking care of yourself during your mental health times! 💖
Literally bathing in calippo
If I think a lot about the people who get tattoos in Sanskrit and Urdu and of Chinese characters with absolutely no idea what they mean, and then the whole mixing runes up seems... not surprising even slightly.
Hope you're feeling better! Great to see you again and thank you for the video!
Bless pipe man for taking his ancient doggo out for a stroll
I'm a corrections officer, so I see all types of rune tattoos, I wouldn't worry about it unless it's a gang symbol (3 leaf clover, SS bolts, AB, etc.) If someone on the street is nerdy enough to identify an obscure rune tattoo as potentially racist, they're not going to do anything about it. Most academics aren't interested in starting street brawls. No disrespect, just saying 🤷
if you ever saw the Vision Vs Vision fight in WandaVision, that's how I like to imagine academics fighting. Proposing philosophical arguments over 3,000 years old to save the day. When in reality they're just fighting who gets department funds and which professor gets tenure. It's all so sad.
@@lolitabubbles26 🤣🤣
You might not get in trouble, but if you're unknowingly wearing a racist/white supremacist symbol a lot of cool people might decide to avoid you. Or you could scare people who just want to go about their lives in peace.
@@tobs6474 well I'm pretty sure that would only matter in a prison, considering that 99% of people outside a prison would consider a 3 leaf clover tattoo to be normal (AB Gang) or a crown tattoo with the wrong amount of points (Latin Kings), or a star with the wrong amount of points (BGF Gang). All of those normal tattoos are actually racially-based prison gang tattoos, but you've probably seen regular people with these tattoos and not felt any type of way about them
@@homeaccount7977 True, prison world and outside world are very different.
I'm glad you took the time to look after your mental health, but I'm so happy to see you're sarcastic self back!
I got my first tattoo from one of the artists at Sacred Knot, finished it earlier this year. Came here feeling anxious about it and your thoughts on that style haha, but glad to see they got your endorsement for tattoos! Amazing artists there.
They rock. Da iawn, glad to know you had a good time with them :)
There's a knife-maker in the USA called "Raven-Forge." They spell their name in Elder Futhark runes radho ansuz wunjo ehwaz nauthiz fehu othila radho gebo ehwaz.
I stared at their runes for twenty minutes trying to figure out what "rawen-forgay" was.
And you thought "Dave" was messed up ...
I like the idea of exploring the history of 19th century ideas around germanic stuff! Those subjects can be a bit painful to talk about sometimes because it is sad to see all that culture recycled into bad ideologies, but it makes me feel more confident in my explorations of norse history knowing exactly what is what, and how to spot the nazis.
Tattoos depicting Japanese Kanji have a lot of similar issues. Back when I was attending an archaeological field school with a lot of younger students, kanji tattoos were all the rage. However, they were fairly knowledgeable and aware. Lunch break discussions often centered on which kanji were accurate and wouldn't embarrass them down the road.
Well i am actually working on probably getting a tattoo of a verse of the kokinshu in kuzushikana but still doing research on that
@@velazquezarmouries If you have a photo of the verse on a manuscript, it might be helpful. It sounds very cool.
@@anthonyholton2886 i actually am reading the whole thing and I'm not even halfway
I visited Japan back in the 2000s, and loads of people there were going around wearing clothes with random English text on them (often nonsensical or obscene).
@@iapetusmccool They can get pretty hilarious. ^^
As always you bring a smile to my face. Yes dear, we would like you to do any video you want to do. If you want to do one on silliness from the 19th century, then by all means DO IT! If you want to do one where you just talk to us, then do that. If all you can manage is just to post some wonderfully amusing photos, that's fine too. But whatever you do, I beg of you, use your nerd powers only for good. And remember, we love you, and we want you to be well, so give your mind and body time to heal. God bless.
I second this!! We love you, Jimmy! 💕
Get an Elder Futhark POKEBALL TATOOO!
But I am the direct descendent of Odin and Ragnar Lothbrok and History channel Vikings taught me to tattoo my face with the word "Till Valhalla" but in the runic alphabet I found online.
don't know how to respond to that, good luck in Valholl, i'll save you a seat in Hel and have a full horn waiting.
don't know how to respond to that, good luck in Valholl, i'll save you a seat in Hel and have a full horn waiting.
I haven't even watched the video yet but the giant Ragnar tattoo on the thumbnail made me burst out laughing
I like to go up to caucasians with asian lettering tattoos and pretend to read out loud "Kick me, but don't tel me why."
I have vaguely rune like tattoos, they are the guarding dark mine sign from Terry Pratchetts discworld and the moving spell from howls moving castle done by studio ghibli. Totally made up! I do get asked about them and the look of 🤨 I get is so funny.
E x c e l l e n t
One runic remain on the Hagia Sofia apparently spells out to something like "Halfdan was here"
I am once again irritated that the Black Sun symbol is another Nazi invention, because it looks so cool damnit. Why did the genocidal bastards have to have good aesthetic senses.
Best dressed, least blessed
Okay, not getting a tattoo but my archaeologist colleague is making me a reindeer antler hairpin with a most delightful carved ornament which I found in a book about the Oseberg Ship and can only recommend: Three mermen with long beards and "No thoughts. Head empty."-faces sitting on each others heads.
I love how nerdy this channel is. You give out so many avenues of exploration.
I know it wasn't the focus of this video but, as someone who studies Anglo-Saxon history and Old English, I was really happy to see you include the Anglo-Frisian Futhorc! I'm also fascinated with the wacky shenanigans of 18th and 19th century esoteric societies and the western occult tradition but usually focus on those in the anglosphere like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and Rosicrucians so, I would love a deeper dive into how it developed in a German context!
Good morning, Jimmy! Years and years ago (decade+?), I watched a PBS science show about the Otzi man, and his tattoos. And, taken together with where they were on his body, and also traces of herbs and things in his possession when he died, the expert they interviewed said there was a fairly good chance that they were an attempt to ease the pain of arthritis -- kind of like acupuncture -- since most of them were around his joints.
"why didn't they invent a cool role-playing game?"
... Well, my friend, have you heard of this little known rpg called "Racial Holy War" also known as "the worst roleplaying game ever written"
.Pretty sure "cool" is not possible for them
This is why I just went with my Mjolnir flanked by a Sturgeon and a Lion. My friend refused to listen to me when I told him to triple check his runes, Dude thought he was getting the three pieces of the triforce translated into runes, his face when he showed me the tattoo and I told him that is not at all what those mean, and that the trip to Germany may require more long-sleeves than we intended to bring a long.
Oh dear! Good on you for educating him, I hope he manages to get a good cover up of something that's meaningful to him at least
@@TheWelshViking luckily my artist is Asatru as well so I sent him a pic and he immediatly set up a private to cover it up, he now has a beautiful Ygdrasil with a very heavy metal looking Ratatosk
Can we talk about how "Futhark" is just "qwerty" in runes? I think it's great and if the people who invented the word 'alphabet' weren't cowards who stopped at two letters we could have had the abcdef
Well, we'd have had the abgdezē because Greek, but yeah!
On drunk tattoos: No self respecting tattoo artist will tattoo an inebriated person. It messes with blood flow to extremities, including your skin, and can lead to it bleeding more later and other complications. So if you have gotten a tattoo drunk, chances are it was a little dodgy of an artist to begin with.
Oh, and "Don't mix the Futharks"... Great tee-shirt idea too!!