Alu (runic)
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Alu is a charm word that appears frequently on numerous early runic inscriptions from around 200 to 800 CE. The charm word appears most commonly of the early runic charm words[1] and either appears alone (such as on the Elgesem runestone) or as part of an apparent formula (such as on the Lindholm "amulet" (DR 261 $U) from Scania, modern Sweden). The term is sometimes abbreviated or written with grammatical expansion. The origin and meaning of the term are a matter of dispute, though a general agreement exists among scholars that the term either refers to amulet magic or as a metaphor (or metonym) for it.[2] Usage of the word did not survive long after the Migration Period, possibly as a result of Christianization.[3]
Theories
Linguistic connections have been proposed between the term and the Proto-Germanic term *aluþ, meaning "ale", and subsequently the word is sometimes translated as meaning "ale",[4][5] though this linguistic approach has been criticized as having "crucial difficulties".[2] According to Stephen Flowers (referencing Edgard Polomé), the word "clearly" belongs to the "technical operative vocabulary" of the Germanic peoples, originally referring to "an ecstatic mental state as transferred to a potent drink" used in religious rituals in Germanic paganism.[4]
Raetian North Etruscan dedicatory votive objects have been discovered featuring alu where the term means "dedication". Connections have been proposed between these objects and the term alu found on runic inscriptions. Theories have been proposed that the term was loaned into Runic usage from this source.[3]
Inscriptions
Bracteates
The inscription alu appears on the following bracteates: G 205, DR BR6, DR BR13, DR BR25, DR BR42, DR BR54, DR BR59, DR BR63A, DR BR67, DR EM85;123, and DR NOR2002;10.[5]
Runestones
Eggja stone
The third panel Elder Futhark inscriptions found on the 7th or 8th century Eggja stone discovered on the farm Eggja located in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway is often interpreted as reading alu.
Elgesem runestone
An inscription reading simply "alu" is found on a stone discovered in a grave mound located in Elgesem, Vestefeld, Norway.[6]
Eketorps slate fragment
Information to be added.
Kinneve stone
The Kinneve stone (Vg 134) is a stone fragment (röd täljsten) dated to around 600 CE. It was found in a grave on the farm of Prästgården, Kinneve socken, Sweden, in 1843. The stone is housed in the collection of the Västergötland museum, Skara, Sweden.[5] The inscription has been read as:
- ...siz alu h[5]
siz (siʀ - the last rune is the *Algiz rune) is interpreted as the end of a name, while the h can represent the Hagalaz rune. Since the fragment was found in a grave, the inscription has been theorized as potentially related to "mortuary magic".[7]
Other
The inscription alu appears on the following objects: DR 13, DR 261, DR AUD1994;266, DR MS1995;341, and DR MS1995;344.[5]
Lindholm "amulet"
The Lindholm "amulet" (DR 261) is a bone piece found in Skåne, dated to the 2nd to 4th centuries. The inscription contains the word Alu.
Cremation urns
Three 5th century cremation urns from Spong Hill, Norfolk, England bear the impression of the term alu by "the same runic stamp" in mirror-runes.[8]
References
- ^ Macleod, Mindy. Mees, Bernard. (2006) Runic Amulets and Magic Objects, page 100 to 101. Boydell Press ISBN 1843832054
- ^ a b Macleod, Mindy. Mees, Bernard. (2006) Runic Amulets and Magic Objects, page 24. Boydell Press ISBN 1843832054
- ^ a b Macleod, Mindy. Mees, Bernard. (2006) Runic Amulets and Magic Objects, page 100 to 101. Boydell Press ISBN 1843832054
- ^ a b Flowers, Stephen. "How To Do Things With Runes: A Semiotic Approach To Operative Communication" as collected in: Stocklund, Marie. (Chief editor.) (2006)Runes And Their Secrets: Studies In Runology, page 75. Museum Tusculanum Press ISBN 87 635 0428 6
- ^ a b c d e According to Rundata for Windows 2.0
- ^ Page, R.I. (2005) Runes, page 30. The British Museum Press ISBN 0-7141-8065-3
- ^ Runic Inscriptions by Yves Kodratoff: [1]
- ^ Hines, John. "Grave Finds With Runic Inscriptions From Great Britain" as collected in Düwel, Klaus. (Editor) (2002) Runeninschriften ALS Quelle Interdisziplinaerer Forschung: Abhandlungen DES Vierten Internationalen Symposiums Uber Runen Und Runeninschriften in Goettingen VOM 4.-9. August 1995, page 189. Walter de Gruyter ISBN 9783110154559