Ingwaz is the rune of the great god Ing/Yngvi/Freyr. Like Freyr, Ingwaz represents peace, growth, and prosperity of the land. In shape, it is reminiscent of a seed, that which gestates, cultivates life, and stores energy until ready to be released. Ingwaz also represents the Earth, as the Earth gestates and stores life within it, recycling and regenerating constantly. Ingwaz, like the stirring seed, represents patience, strength, internalized energy, and focus. Ingwaz is closed space for sacred creation, something that can be mimicked in a ritual setting. The diamond represents small, protected enclosures, but also, infinite potential within. In this way, one can incorporate this rune into their arsenal of protective symbols, deterring outside influence from tainting one’s internal and/or ritual space.

Ingwaz is a rune of harmony and protection. This closed or “fenced in” area is represented by the household, homestead, farm, and entirety of one’s community or village. In Old English, ing means “meadow,” enforcing this connection to farms, pastures, and crops. Ingwaz is the sowing and cultivating of agricultural resources, the growing and planning stages of all actions. As we have explored in other runes, the concept of meadows and Heaven are commonly linked. This gives Ingwaz a particular “heavenly” aspect, that being the heavenly realm of Alfheim/Álfheimr, meaning “Land of the (Light) Elves,” where Freyr is said to reside. Elves have long been associated with the dead and especially dead ancestors, so this could very well represent a more “Vanic” outlook of the afterlife. In Proto-Germanic, we have the related word angijō, which means “a low-lying meadow in a valley or near a river.” It can be speculated that the valley/meadow atmosphere was mirrored in this divine power that represented the fertility of these landscapes, and further, the power of the god Freyr.

In reference to shape, Ingwaz resembles an unbroken Jera rune, Jera representing the harvest of energies and endeavors. In this way, we can view Ingwaz as the space where energy is cultivated and Jera as the reaping or release of that energy. Ingwaz, as a closed space, can represent deep concentration and meditation. During meditation, one can invoke the shape of Ingwaz to isolate one’s mind from distraction. This power is different from the focused meditation represented by Isa, as it develops the Earthly elements within and helps fuel our growing development. Ingwaz is a reminder that we must focus our energy inward to fully develop enough “pressure” to release it, as shown by the Jera rune. This applies to our ideas, business plans, projects, and overall goals in life. Things must be internalized first, to a certain extent, as to not diffuse our energy by talking about it too much. When we do this, we fall victim to procrastination, or worse, complete abandonment of projects.

The “Old English Rune Poem” gives us the only glimpse into this rune’s meaning, as it is absent from the Younger Futhorc of Scandinavia. It states:

“Ing was first among the East-Danes

witnessed by warriors, until he eastward

wandered over the waves; his wain ran after;

thus the bold ones named the hero.”

This poem addresses a great hero of the “East-Danes,” or Goths, who came West and committed many marvelous deeds. He returned home, across the waves, with his “wain,” or wagon. This refers to the god Ingwaz/Yngvi/Fraujaz/Freyr. Many tribes claim to be descendants of Ingwaz/Yngvi, such as the Ingaevones and Ynglings. Ingwaz is one of the three sons of Mannus, the progenitor of the Germanic tribes. The worship of this god is very ancient, reaching as far back as the Goths, as we see in the “Ring of Pietroassa” inscription found in present day Romania. One interpretation has been said to read “[to] Ingwin of the Goths. Holy.” This Ingwin is none other than Yngvi-Freyr. This translation, however, is still widely debated and no definitive transcription has been given.

In the Gylfaginning, it is said:

“Freyr is the most glorious of the Aesir. He is the ruler of rain and sunshine and thus of the produce of the earth, and it is good to pray to him for prosperity and peace.”

Freyr, symbolized by the Ingwaz rune, represents all things prosperous, abundant, and beautiful. Ingwaz symbolizes times of peace, growth, and good weather; wealth and life protected within a diamond. Ingwaz is a rune of kings, farmers, nobility, and those who are responsible for the prosperity of the land and its people. Ingwaz is a sacred space where nature and man may live in unity.

One connection I find interesting, although not linguistically associated, are the Sanskrit words ish and Ishvara. Ish means “to possess, own, rule over, be master of” and Ishvara means “husband, God, Supreme Being.” This is also another title for the god Shiva. Of the tribes that predominantly worshipped Freyr, we can assume that his role mimicked an all-encompassing form similar to Shiva, as indeed, both gods are known for their auspiciousness. Not only in these words and gods, but in Freyr’s other rune, Fehu, we see echoes of this adjective ish, as Fehu and ish refer to possessions, ownership, material wealth, and governorship.

Do I believe that Freyr and Shiva (as divinities) are closely connected? Not necessarily. As stated, I can see how a Germanic tribe worshipping Freyr as head of the pantheon could see him in the same way certain Vedic and Hindu tribes have viewed Shiva in the past. The point here is to see the connection between Yngvi-Freyr, (Ish)vara, kingship, and the relationship between Freyr’s two runes; Fehu and Ingwaz. Freyr is the great Vanic King who presides over the “ing” and its people, known for gifts of peace and prosperity. This ing and ish seem to hold similar origins in Indo-European thought.

In conclusion, the Ingwaz rune, like the god it represents, is extremely broad in meaning, form, and function. Some things, however, we can feel certain in attributing to this rune. First, the shape of Ingwaz invokes ideas of a seed, Earth, egg, or general enclosed space. This “enclosed” space has an added divine aspect to it, as Ingwaz resides over this type of biosphere, the meadow or ing. These environments are places of fertility, sowing, growing, and patience. In this way, Ingwaz represents farms, villages, and general spaces that exist separately from the wilderness. These are inhabitable, domesticable environments where humans can thrive, another aspect of Freyr’s attributes. Last, we can see this rune in a “tantric” sense, using it in meditation to protect ourselves from distractions and help us focus on our practice. Ingwaz is one of the most important runes to develop a relationship with if one wants to master patience, prosperity, and development.

-Wandering the Runic Path: Esoteric Analysis of the Germanic Runes