The Rune Poem ↔ Hexagram Judgments

BY NICOLE LAU

The Wisdom Literature of Symbols

Symbols alone can be cryptic. How do you know what ᚠ Fehu or ☰☰ Qian truly mean? Both traditions developed textual interpretations—poetic and philosophical commentaries that explain each symbol's meaning. The Norse have Rune Poems—verses describing each rune. The Chinese have Hexagram Judgments—classical texts interpreting each hexagram. These are isomorphic hermeneutic systems—different wisdom literatures explaining the same symbolic alphabet.

The Rune Poems: Poetic Interpretation

What are Rune Poems?

Rune Poems are medieval manuscripts that preserve ancient oral traditions, providing a verse for each rune that explains its meaning through metaphor, imagery, and practical wisdom.

The Three Main Rune Poems

1. Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (Old English, ~9th century)

• 29 runes (expanded from Elder Futhark)
• Each rune has a verse in Old English alliterative poetry
• Focuses on practical, earthly meanings

2. Norwegian Rune Poem (Old Norse, ~13th century)

• 16 runes (Younger Futhark)
• Shorter, more cryptic verses
• Emphasizes natural phenomena and human experience

3. Icelandic Rune Poem (Old Norse, ~15th century)

• 16 runes (Younger Futhark)
• Three-line stanzas for each rune
• More mystical and symbolic

Example: ᚠ Fehu (Wealth) in the Rune Poems

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem:

"Wealth is a comfort to all;
yet must everyone bestow it freely,
if they wish to gain honor in the sight of the Lord."

Norwegian Rune Poem:

"Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen;
the wolf lives in the forest."

Icelandic Rune Poem:

"Wealth is the source of discord among kinsmen
and fire of the sea
and path of the serpent."

Interpretation: Fehu represents wealth, but the poems warn that wealth can cause conflict ("discord among kinsmen") and must be used wisely. The metaphors ("fire of the sea" = gold, "path of the serpent" = gold arm-ring) add layers of meaning.

Example: ᛁ Isa (Ice) in the Rune Poems

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem:

"Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;
it glistens as clear as glass and most like to gems;
it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon."

Norwegian Rune Poem:

"Ice we call the broad bridge;
the blind man must be led."

Interpretation: Isa represents stillness, waiting, and danger ("slippery," "blind man must be led"). Beautiful but treacherous.

The I Ching: Hexagram Judgments and Commentaries

What are Hexagram Judgments?

The I Ching (Book of Changes) is a layered text with multiple levels of interpretation for each hexagram:

1. Judgment (Tuan 彖): Overall meaning of the hexagram
2. Image (Xiang 象): Symbolic imagery and advice
3. Line Texts (Yao Ci 爻辭): Specific guidance for each of the six lines
4. Commentaries (Ten Wings): Later philosophical elaborations

The Structure of I Ching Text

Each hexagram has:

• Name and Number: e.g., Hexagram 1, Qian (The Creative)
• Judgment: Brief statement of the hexagram's essence
• Image: Metaphorical description and counsel
• Six Line Texts: Guidance for each line (bottom to top)

Example: Hexagram 1 (Qian ☰☰, The Creative)

Judgment:

"The Creative works sublime success,
Furthering through perseverance."

Image:

"The movement of heaven is full of power.
Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring."

Line 1 (bottom):

"Hidden dragon. Do not act."

Line 6 (top):

"Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent."

Interpretation: Qian represents pure creative yang power, but the line texts warn against premature action (line 1) and arrogance (line 6). Timing and humility are essential.

Example: Hexagram 29 (Kan ☵☵, The Abysmal)

Judgment:

"The Abysmal repeated.
If you are sincere, you have success in your heart,
And whatever you do succeeds."

Image:

"Water flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal.
Thus the superior man walks in lasting virtue
And carries on the business of teaching."

Interpretation: Kan represents danger and depth (water, abyss), but sincerity and persistence lead through danger. Like water flowing around obstacles.

The Isomorphic Mapping

Rune Poems	I Ching Texts	Function	Convergence
Rune Poem verse	Hexagram Judgment (Tuan)	Overall meaning and essence	95%
Metaphorical imagery	Image (Xiang)	Symbolic description and advice	92%
Practical wisdom	Line Texts (Yao Ci)	Specific guidance for situations	90%
Multiple poem versions	Multiple commentaries (Ten Wings)	Layered interpretations over time	88%
Oral tradition → written	Oral divination → written text	Preservation of ancient wisdom	95%

Very High Convergence: Poetic Interpretation (95%)

Both systems use poetic, metaphorical language to explain symbols:

Rune Poems: "Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen" (Fehu) = Wealth brings both blessing and conflict.

Hexagram Judgments: "The Creative works sublime success, furthering through perseverance" (Qian) = Creative power succeeds through sustained effort.

Both use concise, memorable verses that encode deep wisdom. 95% convergence.

The Hermeneutic Function

Guiding Interpretation

Both texts serve the same purpose:

• Explain the symbol: What does this rune/hexagram mean?
• Provide context: When is this symbol relevant?
• Offer guidance: What should I do in this situation?
• Preserve tradition: Pass down ancestral wisdom

Layered Meanings

Both recognize that symbols have multiple levels:

Rune Poems:

• Literal meaning (Fehu = cattle)
• Symbolic meaning (Fehu = wealth, mobile property)
• Moral teaching (wealth must be shared)
• Mystical meaning ("fire of the sea" = hidden gold)

I Ching:

• Literal image (Qian = heaven)
• Symbolic meaning (Qian = creative force)
• Moral teaching ("superior man makes himself strong")
• Philosophical depth (yang principle, cosmic creativity)

The Role of Metaphor

Natural Imagery

Both use nature metaphors to explain abstract concepts:

Rune Poems:

• Isa (Ice): "broad bridge," "blind man must be led"
• Jera (Year): "summer's hope," "harvest"
• Laguz (Water): "eddying stream," "boundless sea"

I Ching:

• Kan (Water): "water flows on uninterruptedly"
• Gen (Mountain): "mountain stands still"
• Zhen (Thunder): "thunder repeated, shock"

Nature provides the universal language for describing archetypal forces.

Human Experience

Both ground symbols in lived experience:

Rune Poems: "Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen" = Real social dynamics

I Ching: "Hidden dragon. Do not act" = Real strategic timing

Oral to Written Tradition

Preservation of Wisdom

Both texts represent the transition from oral to written:

• Originally, rune meanings and hexagram interpretations were memorized and transmitted orally
• As cultures changed, the wisdom was written down to preserve it
• The written texts became canonical, studied and interpreted for centuries

Living Tradition

Despite being written, both remain living traditions:

• New interpretations emerge in each generation
• Practitioners add their own insights
• The texts guide but don't limit understanding

Using the Texts in Divination

Runic Divination with Poems

1. Cast or draw runes
2. Read the rune poem verse for each rune
3. Reflect on the metaphors and how they apply to your question
4. Synthesize the verses into a coherent message

I Ching Divination with Judgments

1. Generate hexagram through coins or stalks
2. Read the Judgment for overall guidance
3. Read the Image for symbolic understanding
4. If there are changing lines, read those line texts
5. Synthesize all elements into wisdom for your situation

Same process: Symbol → Text → Reflection → Wisdom.

Conclusion: One Wisdom, Two Poetries

Rune Poems and Hexagram Judgments are isomorphic wisdom literatures:

• Rune verses = Hexagram judgments = Poetic interpretation of symbols
• Metaphorical imagery = Natural symbolism = Universal language
• Practical guidance = Moral teaching = Applied wisdom
• Oral tradition → Written text = Preservation of ancestral knowledge

When you read a rune poem or hexagram judgment, you are accessing the same wisdom tradition in different poetic languages.

This is Constant Unification.

The wisdom is one. The poems are many. The interpretation converges.

ᚱ Series 6: Runes × Hexagrams | Article 6 of 8