Tiwaz is the rune of the god Týr and stands for justice, honour and self-sacrifice for the greater good. Shaped like an upward arrow, it symbolises integrity and the courage to do what is right.
Tiwaz is named for Týr, the Norse god of law, oaths and honour. Of all the runes, it carries perhaps the clearest moral charge: it is the mark of doing what is right, even when doing so costs you something dear.
The sacrifice of Týr
The defining myth of Týr is one of sacrifice for the common good. When the gods sought to bind the monstrous wolf Fenrir, the beast would only allow it if one of them placed a hand in its jaws as a pledge of good faith. Only Týr was willing. The wolf was bound, the gods were saved — and Týr lost his hand. The story fixes the rune's meaning forever: honour is what you are still willing to pay for when it hurts.
Justice and integrity
Shaped like an upward-pointing arrow or spear, Tiwaz stands for justice, fairness and the courage to keep one's word at any cost. It is a disciplined, principled mark — less about winning than about deserving to win. That backbone makes it a close kin of the protective Algiz and the fate-facing courage of the Valknut.
How to wear it
Tiwaz is worn as a reminder to stand by your principles and act with honour — a quiet vow you carry with you. Engraved on a Viking wooden watch, it keeps that promise close at hand. Discover the rest of the Norse symbol lexicon to find the value you want to carry.
