“Once I was young
and traveled alone
when I lost my way.
I felt wealthy
when I found another.
Man is the joy of man”
- Hávamál
and traveled alone
when I lost my way.
I felt wealthy
when I found another.
Man is the joy of man”
- Hávamál
Literal Meaning & History
The literal meaning of the name of this rune is man.
Not man as in "male” but man as in human.
Not man as in "male” but man as in human.
The oldest writings available from the vikings referred to “drengir” (boys), to “karlar” (men), “stúlkur” (girls), and “konur” (women), but rarely to maður (man) in the singular.
When there was a number of people, there would be “menn”.
But this changed in the years following the spread of christianity.
When there was a number of people, there would be “menn”.
But this changed in the years following the spread of christianity.
Figurative Meaning & Symbolism
Obviously you need to keep humanity in mind as you work with this rune, but this rune doesn’t mean everything that being human is, no. It refers most specifically to the human being as a pack animal, to the pack, the tribe, the community of human beings. So, I suggest “community” as the key word to focus on, above man.
This rune refers to sapience.
This is the self, your humanity.
This is your family, by blood, or by choice.
This is reason, rationality, common sense.
This is company.
This is friendship, empathy, sympathy, and compassion.
This is family or societal tradition.
This is the self, your humanity.
This is your family, by blood, or by choice.
This is reason, rationality, common sense.
This is company.
This is friendship, empathy, sympathy, and compassion.
This is family or societal tradition.
This is identifying with other members of our species and seeing in them a reflection of yourself.
This is the friend you call at 4am, knowing they’ll pick up and be there for you, because you need them.
This is the people you want to be around, that you want to spend time with.
This is the people who matter to you.
The little rune poem above translates to;
Man is the joy of man
And enrichment of the soil
And the decorations of ships
Man is the joy of man
And enrichment of the soil
And the decorations of ships
Suggested Homework
What is your closest family?
See, family is not just blood, it can also be by word, or by deed, or by love.
The friends, the lovers, the people who you know would have your back and those who’s back you have.
If you could only socialize with a few people for the rest of your life who would they be?
Write down 5-10 names of those that you’d choose, of those that you are closest to, then after each name write how they have become family.
By blood or by deed.
By love or by law.
By blood or by deed.
By love or by law.
