Germanic runes are characters from ancient alphabets used by various Germanic tribes, including the Norse and Anglo-Saxons. These symbols were primarily used for writing, but they also held magical and divinatory significance. The most well-known set of runes is the Elder Futhark, which consists of 24 characters and dates back to around the 2nd to 4th centuries CE. Runes were often carved into wood, stone, or metal, and each rune had its own meaning and sound. They were used for various purposes, such as marking territory, commemorating the dead, or casting spells. Today, interest in runes has surged, with many people exploring their historical and mystical aspects.