Isa

Isa

Isaz is the reconstructed Proto-Germanic name for the i-rune ᛁ, which means "ice." In the Younger Futhark, it is called íss in Old Norse. In the Anglo-Saxon futhorc, it is called is.

The corresponding Gothic letter is 𐌹 i, called eis.

The rune is mentioned in all three rune poems:

Rune Poem

Anglo-Saxon
Is byþ oferceald, ungemetum slidor,
glisnaþ glæshluttur gimmum gelicust,
flor forste geƿoruht, fæger ansyne.

Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;
it glitters as clear as glass and most resembles gemstones;
it is a frost-covered ground, beautiful to behold.

Old Icelandic
Íss er árbörkr
ok unnar þak
ok feigra manna fár.
glacies jöfurr

Ice is the bark of rivers
and the roof of waves
and the doom of the doomed.

Old Norwegian
Ís kǫllum brú bræiða;
blindan þarf at læiða.

The ice is called the broad bridge;
the blind must be led.

Back to blog