The Fehu Rune’s Meaning and Symbolism

The Fehu rune is the first symbol in the Elder Futhark, the runic alphabet used by the Nordic people. As the first rune in the Futhark alphabet and part of the first aett, Fehu sets the tone for new beginnings, growth, and personal development.

Fehu represents wealth, prosperity, and abundance.

This is because Fehu’s literal meaning is “cattle” and its symbol looks like cattle horns. In ancient times, cattle were not just a food source. Having healthy livestock was a status symbol that indicated you had wealth and power.

The Fehu rune is associated with the Norse goddess Freyja, who rules over fertility, love, and wealth. Like Freyja, Fehu’s energy is about manifesting prosperity.

But this rune also speaks to the flow of energy, urging you to maintain the balance between giving and receiving, especially if you consider the original meanings written into the rune poems below. It’s not about hoarding resources, but allowing for flow.

This relates to cattle and livestock because they were one of the first forms of movable wealth and to maintain a healthy herd required not just investment in the animals but also managing the exchange or lending of them for money or other goods.

What Is Fehu’s Upright Meaning

When Fehu appears upright in a rune reading, it represents wealth, success, and material gain. This rune is a sign of prosperity, often pointing to financial growth, new opportunities, or rewards for hard work. Fehu’s energy encourages you to take charge of your resources, whether they are financial, emotional, or spiritual, and use them wisely to continue building abundance in your life.

Beyond material wealth, Fehu signifies the power of manifestation and new beginnings. It reminds you that what you focus on and nurture will grow. It’s a rune of fertility, indicating that the conditions are right for starting a new project or something a bit more literal.

In relationships, it can indicate a flourishing bond or the strengthening of trust. It indicates the factors are there for a successful partnership, but you need to invest wisely and keep things balanced for success.

Fehu’s Reversed Meaning

When Fehu appears reversed, it often signals challenges related to loss, delays, or stagnation, particularly in areas of wealth or if you’re starting something new. This could manifest as financial setbacks, missed opportunities, or struggles to maintain material stability.

On a spiritual level, Fehu reversed encourages you to reflect on your approach. Are you experiencing a blockage in the flow of energy, leading to frustration or feelings of scarcity? Where can you loosen the reins a bit?

In relationships, the Fehu reversed rune could suggest imbalance or anxiety. There may be struggles in giving and receiving, or a sense that something valuable is slipping away. Instead of clinging, consider leaning into patience.

Fehu in Rune Poems

Rune poems were verses written to help people remember the symbolism and significance of each rune. The three most-well known are the Old English Rune Poem, the Norwegian Rune Poem, and the Icelandic Rune Poem.

Below are the versus for Fehu in each.

Old English Rune Poem (8th or 9th century)

Feoh byþ frofur fira gehwylcum; sceal ðeah manna gehwylc miclun hyt dælan
gif he wile for drihtne domes hleotan.

Wealth is a comfort to all men; yet must every man bestow it freely,
if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.

Norwegian Rune Poem (13th century)

ᚠ Fé vældr frænda róge;
føðesk ulfr í skóge

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

Icelandic Rune Poem (15th century)

Fé er frænda róg ok flæðar viti
ok grafseiðs gata
aurum fylkir.

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