Germanic Runes and Norse Runes represent the same sacred alphabet. The Norse tradition preserves the most detailed mythology of runic origins through the Eddas, drawing on shared Germanic beliefs about Wodan/Odin's self-sacrifice.
In the Sigrdrífumál, Brynhild taught Sigurd the wisdom of Runes after he woke her from enchanted sleep. She classified them by function — victory-runes, ale-runes, birth-runes, and more — each inscribed on specific objects.
In Hávamál 143, Dáinn is named as the one who carved Runes for the elves, part of the distribution of runic knowledge among the cosmic races after Odin's discovery.
In Hávamál 143, Dvalinn carved Runes for the dwarves, receiving runic knowledge as part of its distribution among the cosmic races after Odin's discovery.
In the Rígsþula, Heimdall as Rígr taught the runes to Konr ungr, the first of the noble line, granting the young lord mastery over the secret staves.
In the Rígsþula, Konr ungr mastered the Runes after being taught by Heimdall (Ríg), achieving knowledge powerful enough to rival the god's own. This linked runic wisdom to the origin of kingship.
The Norns carve runes into the wood of Yggdrasil, inscribing the laws and fates of all beings into the World Tree's bark so that no power in the Nine Worlds can erase what has been decreed.
In the Hávamál (stanzas 138–145), Odin hung on Yggdrasil for nine nights, wounded by his own spear, and took up the Runes with a great cry. This act of self-sacrifice was the price for runic wisdom.
Odin hung on Yggdrasil for nine nights to discover the Runes, making the world-tree the site of the primordial runic revelation described in the Hávamál.
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