Perthro is the fourteenth rune of the Elder Futhark and the sixth in the second aett. Its phonetic value is “P” and its meaning is one of the most debated among scholars. Often interpreted as “lot cup”, “dice cup”, or “chess piece”, it is associated with chance, mystery, and the hidden patterns of fate. Perthro represents what is concealed, what is yet to be revealed, and the role of destiny in human life.
The rune is tied to divination and the unknown. Just as the cast of dice or the drawing of lots reveals fortune, Perthro speaks of secrets, hidden influences, and the unfolding of events not yet seen. It is the rune of the unseen, emphasising that life is shaped by forces beyond conscious control.
Symbolically, Perthro embodies mystery, revelation, and the interplay between fate and free will. It is often associated with the womb, the cauldron, or the container from which new life or hidden truths emerge. The rune points to transformation through discovery, and to the acceptance of chance as part of life’s pattern.
In divination, Perthro often signals uncertainty, hidden factors, or the need to trust in fate. It may suggest that answers are not yet ready to be known, or that chance will soon reveal new possibilities. While it can represent luck or fortune, it also highlights the importance of openness to mystery and the limits of human foresight.
The shape of the rune, resembling a cup or vessel tipped on its side, reinforces its association with casting lots or revealing hidden outcomes. It is the container of mystery, the source from which new understanding flows.
Perthro is sometimes linked to the Norns, the weavers of fate, who determine the course of human lives. Through this connection, the rune embodies destiny, chance, and the unfolding of the unknown.
Perthro teaches that life is not fully in human hands. It reminds us that fate and mystery play their part, and that revelation often arrives in its own time. It is a rune of hidden knowledge, urging trust in the unseen and readiness for what chance may bring.