Study › Runes & Norse › Uruz
Uruz (ᚢ) is the second rune of the Elder Futhark. Its name recalls the aurochs, the great wild ox, and its meaning is strength: not raw force, but the stability of a whole whose parts hold firmly together. Reversed, its meaning turns against you.
Keywords: strength, stability, vitality, health, endurance
What does the Uruz rune mean?
Uruz is the second rune of the Elder Futhark. It comes after Fehu, and Thurisaz comes after it.
Its name recalls the aurochs, the wild ox that was the untamed ancestor of cattle, and with it come strength and vitality. But the strength of Uruz is not raw force so much as stability — the soundness of a system whose parts work together in harmony. When every part holds, the whole becomes strong and hard to move. For this reason Uruz is a rune of health, and it also lends its strength to any rune beside it: Fehu alone is financial energy, while Fehu and Uruz together make that energy strong and enduring. It is closely tied to manifestation, which asks for exactly this kind of steady, consistent effort.
At its heart Uruz is unyielding strength, will and balance — a will that cannot be bent by circumstance or outside influence.
It follows Fehu and comes before Thurisaz.
Uruz in a reading
Uruz in love
Upright: A bond with real strength. A steady, dependable relationship. Passion full of life. A healthy way of being together. Love that lasts through trials.
Reversed: The bond feels weak. Unsteady ground between you. The spark fades. Unhealthy patterns creep in. Love is worn thin by strain.
Uruz and money
Upright: A strong financial position. A stable, secure footing. A lively, productive business. Finances in good health. Resources that last.
Reversed: A weak financial position. Instability shakes the ground. Business loses its energy. Finances in poor health. Reserves run out.
Uruz and health
Upright: Physical strength returns. The body finds its balance. Vitality runs high. Good health overall. Stamina for the long haul.
Reversed: Strength is failing. The body loses its balance. Vitality runs low. Health needs attention. Stamina is exhausted.
Uruz on the spiritual path
Upright: Inner strength grows. A stable spiritual foundation. Vital force fills the practice. Body and spirit in good health. Endurance on the path.
Reversed: Inner strength wavers. The foundation shakes. Vital force drains away. Body or spirit is neglected. Giving up too soon.
Uruz reversed
Reversed, Uruz warns that strength is lacking: things are unsteady, life force runs low, and something will not last. It asks what needs to be made sound again.
Uruz in the rune poems
The rune poems are the oldest sources for the runes' meanings. Here is what each one says of Uruz, first as written, then in English.
Norwegian Rune Poem
Úr er af illu jarne;
opt løypr ræinn á hjarne.Dross comes from bad iron;
the reindeer often races over the frozen snow.
Icelandic Rune Poem
Úr er skýja grátr
ok skára þverrir
ok hirðis hatr.
umbre vísiLamentation of the clouds
and ruin of the hay-harvest
and abomination of the shepherd.
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem
Ur byþ anmod ond oferhyrned,
felafrecne deor, feohteþ mid hornum
mære morstapa; þæt is modig wuht.The aurochs is proud and has great horns;
it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;
a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.
Questions
How do you pronounce Uruz?
Say it "OO-rooz".
What does the Uruz rune look like?
Uruz (ᚢ) is like an upside-down U whose right leg is shorter and slanted.
What does Uruz mean reversed?
It asks what needs to be made sound again.