Rune Tiwaz ᛏ

Rune Tiwaz: Meaning, Origin, and Spiritual Powers

The Tiwaz rune resembles an arrow or a spear, which already says a lot about its meaning. It represents the god of war or the god of the sky, Tyr. Once considered the chief god of the Germanic peoples, all other Nordic gods were subordinate to him. Tyr oversaw order and justice, both in the kingdom of the gods and among men.

Tiwaz also symbolizes hierarchy and fair treatment on Earth. There is equal right for everyone. Moreover, it embodies an orderly coexistence within a society founded on certain rules to be respected.

Given that the sky is often associated with the element of air, considered the basis for the creation of structures, it is not surprising that Tyr was regarded as the chief god of the ancient Nordics. However, he was later replaced by Odin, known for his lavish and exuberant feasts.

Nevertheless, the meaning of the Tiwaz rune has remained the same. It represents justice, order, truth, and courage.

Tiwaz is similar to the North Star, which shows the right direction in the night and fog, and can therefore be used when people suffer from indecision and lack of self-assertion. For the inquirer, this means that sacrifices must be made and a lot of courage gathered at this moment.

For the future, Tiwaz indicates that although one feels unjustly treated in an interpersonal conflict, justice will eventually prevail sooner or later.

Origin and Meaning of the Tiwaz Rune

Tyr himself made great sacrifices for justice in his time. According to a legend, he saved another god from destruction by putting his own hand in the mouth of the wolf Fenrir as a pledge. Fenrir, Loki's first child, was an extremely devastating creature.

This act gives another meaning to the Tiwaz rune, that of courage, an essential quality for a warrior. He firmly believes in what he protects and shows patience and wisdom. He approaches problems in a targeted manner and knows they will not cause him to fail but should be seen as lessons that will make him wiser.

The warrior symbolized by the Tiwaz rune fights for our inner being. Our spirit always seeks to evolve and push boundaries. However, there are forces within the body that prevent this and against which we struggle. These forces take various forms: attachment to material goods, ambition, or the relentless pursuit of happiness.

The Tiwaz rune indicates that it is time to let go of all this to live a true evolution. The spirit thus receives the necessary freedom to unfold and reach completely different dimensions. The warrior allows it to relinquish all that is earthly and to open up fully.

Tiwaz shows you that you can always trust your inner strengths that will guide you on the right path. It gives you the courage and security needed to confront fear. It is part of life and should not be avoided.

Fear is not fought as such but seen as a quality. It clings to the person, making escape impossible. The only way to overcome it is to face it. Once you start doing this, you will notice it slowly decreases.

Think about what fear does to you and the message it tries to convey. Always be aware that the need symbolized by fear can only be satisfied by yourself. Your own spiritual warrior confronts uncertainties and liberates your inner self from earthly barriers.

Fixed Meaning of the Tiwaz Rune

The Tiwaz rune is associated with success. You have the courage to fight for yourself and your beliefs. If few negative runes surround your interpretation, you will emerge victorious. You will be motivated and gain the necessary momentum. Tiwaz gives you new strength. It represents masculine energy.

If the interpretation is for a man, Tiwaz represents him. The closest rune shows which force has the greatest influence on him. If the interpretation is for a woman, Tiwaz represents the man with whom she has the most intense connection.

The Tiwaz rune is considered the master of sexuality and love. If placed, a rebirth of the existing relationship is expected, or a new romance is imminent. The involved man does not intend to take advantage of the lady but pursues serious intentions.

If the Wunjo rune is also present, the chances are very good for a lasting love relationship. However, if Tiwaz is mainly surrounded by negative runes, no matter how hard you fight, success will not be achieved.

Reversed Meaning of the Tiwaz Rune

If the Tiwaz rune appears reversed, things are less favorable for you. You will lose the battle you are fighting, no matter how strong you are. If this concerns love, you will notice that the man is not being honest with you. Regarding friendship, there is a lack of cheerfulness and lightness.

Your patience clearly diminishes, and your energy is depleted. Not only do you feel tired and exhausted, but you also notice that your creativity suffers. If the first small problems arise, you already think about giving up.

You wait for good to come to you, but what do you do for it? Do a self-check and ask yourself: "Am I making enough effort to live the good?" If it concerns subjects that are particularly important to you, difficulties are to be expected. You have communication issues with those around you, which can easily lead to conflicts. You might face a separation.

Properties of the Tiwaz Rune

• Alphabet: T
• Element: Air
• Deity: Tyr
• Symbol: Sky vault, arrow
• Interpretation: Masculinity, justice, leadership, logic, struggle, perseverance, and courage.
• Stone: Charoite, malachite, topaz, coral
• Tree: Oak
• Flower: Kniphofia
• Medicinal Herb: Horseradish, sage
• Animal: Dog, wolf
• Color: Scarlet, bright red
• Body Part: Blood, nervous system, balance
• Perfume: Galbanum, vervain
• Tarot: Justice, The Hanged Man
• Astrology: Sun in Libra, Moon in 1st house, Neptune, Libra

Complete Runes Alphabet >

Further Exploration

To deepen your knowledge about the runes and their symbolism, we invite you to explore the following pages:

• Viking Runes: Origins and Meanings
• Norse and Viking Symbols and their meanings
• The Secrets of Viking Runic Alphabet