| |
Thurisaz
|
 |
Pronunciation:
Literal Meaning: Thorn, later Giant or Ogre
Other Names: Thurs, Thorn
Phonetic Value:TH
|
| Rune Poems |
| Anglo Saxon |
Ðorn byþ ðearle scearp; ðegna gehwylcum anfeng ys yfyl, ungemetum reþe manna gehwelcum, ðe him mid resteð. |
| The thorn is exceedingly sharp, an evil thing for which to grapple, immeasurably harsh for every man that within it rests. |
| |
| Norwegian |
Þurs vældr kvinna kvillu, kátr værðr fár af illu. |
| The ogre causes anguish to women, misfortune makes few men cheerful. |
| |
| Icelandic |
Þurs er kvenna kvölok kletta búi ok varðrúnar verr. Saturnus þengill. |
| The ogre is the torture of women and cliff-dweller and husband of a giantess. Thegn of Saturan. |
|
Thurisaz represents a warning or a barrier. Though some consider it a protective symbol, it must be realized that thorns harm indiscriminately.
|
A word on translation:
The Icelandic run poem once again gives us a historical quandary in the addition of Saturnus þengill, literally “Thegn of Saturn”. A thegn was a rank of nobility in Anglo Saxon England, but were retainers or man servants in Scandinavia.
Though this quote seems out of place in Norse folklore, in the larger context of the Early Renaissance it makes more sense. Rome had long sense fallen but was idealized and used in metaphor across Europe. There are additional examples of this practice in other entries in the Icelandic Rune Poem.
Toxic plants and other dangerous things in early European Materia medica were thought to be ruled by Saturn. So much so that Saturnian herbs was a often a moniker for poison. It is possible that this reference was intended to mean “ruled by Saturn”, or dangerous or toxic.
|
|
|
|
|
