About The Ogham Alphabet
Learn the Ogham’s spiritual and magical meanings. There are 20 trees in this ancient Ogham alphabet and each tree has a letter, bird, colour, meaning, and divination interpretation associated with it.
Other correspondences include how it is used for medicinal and magical purposes. Click on the runes below to read the entire Ogham alphabet meanings. The Word Ogham is pronounced OH-yam.
Ogham Prayer
Deep within the centre of my being may I find peace
Silently within the centre of the grove may I share peace
Calmly within the greater circle of mankind may I radiate peace
May there be peace throughout the whole world.
Several of the runes stones still remaining have running around their edge a different alphabet from the runic, but one which still uses short, straight lines. This is the Ogham alphabet.
Just like Odin, Ogma is credited with having invented the Ogham script. This method of writing seems to have begun in Ireland, spreading to Wales, Scotland, and parts of southern England.
The Ogham forms a sacred system, as well as hidden coded messages which only people of the order understood. The Ogham glyphs were carved around the edge of a stone in order to immortalize a hero, or carved on trees as posters.
Ogham Alphabet Meanings
The Ogham written letters consist of four sets of five characters. The first five (B L F S & N) are represented by a singular upright stroke with 1 to 5 horizontal strokes from B to N, to the right of the line.
Ancient Celtic Fews: The next set (H D T C Q) Have vertical strokes left of the upright line. M G NG Z and R cross the line on the diagonal and the vowels Ea Ou Ia Ui and Ae are also diagonal but stop at the line. Related: Ogham Free Oracle Reading >
Birch Tree Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: December 24th – January 20th. Beth: Letter B. Animal: Cow, Pheasant. Colour: White
Birch Tree is associated with the white goddess in her triplicity. When we are lost in the forest the shining silver branches of the Birch light the way and give us guidance on our path. The very word birch has derived a root meaning bright or shining. Continue reading about Birch Tree >
Rowan Tree Ogham Meaning
Birth: January 21st – February 17th. Luis: Letter L. Animal: Unicorn, Bear, Duck. Colour: Grey and Red
Rowan protects the home, animals, and children, it is also a protector of our spirit.“Rowan is the ancient enchantress who holds all creation in her circle of light.” Continue reading rowan tree >
Alder Tree Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: March 18th – April 14th. Fern: Letter F, V. Animal: Red Fox, Ram, Stallion, Gull. Colour: Crimson
Alder – sometimes known as the Goddess tree – is another protective tree, only this time it is the protection of the heart and the watery excess of emotion. It was used in battle in ancient times and known as the very battle witch of all woods. Continue reading about Alder tree >
Willow Tree Ogham Meaning
Birth: April 15th – May 12th. Saille: Letter S. Animal: Hare, Cat, Hawk. Colour: All Bright Colours.
Willow this totally feminine plant all those watery things to do with emotions, feeling, sensitivity, vision, intuition and divination. The unconscious, Lunar Tides and the ebbs and flow of magic. Continue reading about willow tree >
Ash Tree Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: February 18th – March 17th. Nuin: Letter N. Animal: Snake, Snipe. Colour: Green
The Celtic association with Ash is with Maeve – the Irish goddess of sovereignty, or land goddess. In Greek mythology, Zeus is said to have created humans from the ash trees, Yggdrasil was the cosmic ash uon that Odin hung for nine days until he discovered the rune stones. Continue reading about ash tree >
Hawthorn Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: May 13th – June 9th. Huatha: Letter H. Animal Totem: Dragon, Goat, Night Crow. Colour: Purple
Hawthorn tree, the maiden pure of heart a healing goddess, Waits in dread desire at the door to the other world. Events that will transpire. Seeing the future clarifies your decisions. Continue reading about hawthorn tree >
Oak Tree Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: June 10th – July 7th. Duir: Letter D. Animal Totem: White Horse, Lion, Salamander, Wren. Colour: Black, Dark Brown
Oaktree Solid protection, Magical strength, security, truth. The crossing of boundaries between one place and the next. Ability to see the invisible or be invisible. Inner knowledge. Continue reading about oak tree >
Holly Ogham Meaning
Birth: July 8th – August 4th. Tinne: Letter T. Animal: War Horse, Starling. Colour: Dark Grey.
The Holly King. The word holly means holy It symbolises the tenacity of life. As male energy, it is symbolic of the vigour to fight with balance and unity. Strong and protective, clear wisdom and courage. Continue reading about holly tree >
Hazel Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: August 5th – September 1st. Coll: Letter C. Animal: Salmon, Crane. Colour: Brown
Hazel All the knowledge of the arts and sciences were bound up with the eating of these nuts, and of the salmon who ate them, some say it may be associated with the lost initiations once undertaken in the Bardic grade. Continue reading about hazel tree >
Apple Tree Ogham Meaning
Quert: Letter Q. Animal: Unicorn, Hen. Colour: Green
Apple Tree of eternal life, Wholeness, trust, abundance, integration, regeneration, vitality, fertility, and health. The Druids recognised its powerful transformation qualities. Continue reading about apple tree >
Vine Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: September 2nd – September 29th. Muin: Letter M. Animal: Lizard, titmouse. Colour: All
Prophetic Vine – spiriting toward inspiration. Vine Unleashes heartfelt inspiration of an emotional kind. Blackberry, the fruit of the prickly vine holds the magic. Prophesies were evoked from the strongest wine. Continue reading about vine >
Ivy Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: September 30th – October 27th. Gort: Letter G. Animal: Bore, Swan. Colour: Baby blue
Ivy, a spiral of revelation. Search for self-brings transformation. A spiritual journey is now in your presence grasp it with both hands. Time to follow the heart and be guided by intuition. Continue reading about Ivy >
Broom / Reed / Fern Ogham
Astrology Birth: October 28th – November 24th. Ngetal: Letter N, G. Animal: Dog, Rat, Goose. Colour: Emerald Green
Spiritual Meaning Broom. Broom to make a clean sweep today Start fresh, clear space and open way. A time to purify your thoughts and begin to clear any obstacles in your path. Continue reading about broom >
Blackthorn Ogham Meaning
Straif: Letter Z. Animal: Wolf, Black Cat. Colour: Purple
Blackthorn is one of the Eight Chieftain Trees in the Ogham. Its name Straif means strife – and is said to be the ‘increaser of secrets. Guard your secrets well. Blackthorn has cleansing qualities. Continue reading about blackthorn >
Elder Tree Ogham Meaning
Astrology Birth: November 25th – December 23rd. Ruis: Letter R. Animal: Badger. Colour: Red
Elder is a fitting tree to follow Blackthorn as its meaning is transformation, Death and regeneration. It has one of the strongest reputations for fairy and witch superstitions and the magical protection of all the Ogham trees. Continue reading Elder tree >
Elm Tree Ogham Meaning
Spiritual Meaning Elm Tree. Ailim: Letter A. Animal: Piebald, Lapwing. Colour: Light Blue.
Elm tree. Vulnerability openness and honesty, sensibility, empathy, creativity. The Scots Pine is placed at the Winter solstice in the Ogham Calendar with its twin the Yew tree. Continue reading about elm tree >
Furze Ogham Symbols And Meanings
Ohn: Letter O
Animal: Cormorant, Rabbit, Cassowary
Colour: Gold
Crystal: Beryl
Spiritual Meaning Furze: Furze Industry, protection, vibrancy, independence intelligence, passion, sexuality. Due to its prickly nature, it is also a tree of protection. Continue reading about furze >
Heather / Mistletoe Ogham Meaning
Ur: Letter U
Animal: Bee, Lion, Skylark
Colour: Purple
Spiritual Meaning Heather: Heather’s Passion, generosity, healing, success, spiritual growth, and connections with the spirit world. Lovers, passion and consummation. See here for mistletoe>. And here for Heather Continue reading about heather >
Aspen Tree Ogham Meaning
Edad: Letter E. Animal: Dove. Colour: Silver
Aspen is associated with conquering fear. Its very name ‘Populus tremella’ (the trembling Poplar) hints at its nature, as Aspen quivers with the slightest breeze, always on the move, a way of shielding oneself. Continue reading about aspen tree >
Yew Tree Ogham Meaning
Idad: Letter I. Animal: Eaglet. Colour: Dark Green
The meaning of Yew is rebirth, which is quite fitting for the last traditional tree of the Ogham Alphabet. It means the completion of a cycle marking the ending of one phase and the beginning of the next. Continue reading about yew tree >
Forfeda Ogham Meaning
The Forfeda is the final supplementary aicme which was a later addition – introduced around the 4th Century. They represent Greek diphthongs; sounds felt to be missing from the original alphabet. oe-oi / ui-ua / ia-io / ae / p. Continue reading about the forfeda >
Spindle Ogham Meaning
Ogham Letter: OI or OE. English: Spindle. Celtic: Oir. Latin: Euonymus europaeus
Spiritual Meaning Spindle: A spindle represents a sudden positive change in one’s life. Thunder and lightning, reveal striking sudden revelations. Which are at best enlightening. Continue reading about spindle >
Honeysuckle Ogham Meaning
English: Honeysuckle – also known as Woodbine. Celtic: Uilleand. Latin: Lonicera periclymenum. Astrology: Mars in Cancer.
Spiritual Meaning Honeysuckle: Honeysuckle hidden secrets and desires. Proceed with caution. Whereas Ivy – with its inward spiral spins its way to inner knowledge. Continue reading about honeysuckle >
Gooseberry Ogham Meaning
Ogham Letter: IA or OI. English: Gooseberry. Celtic: Iphin. Latin: Ribes uva-crispa. Astrology: Venus.
Spiritual Meaning Gooseberry: Gooseberry, Generations, sweetest of wood/life, most wonderful of taste, divine influences. A blessing from the angel community. Continue reading about gooseberry >
Beech Tree Ogham Meaning
Ogham letter: ae. English: Beech. Celtic: Eamancholl. Latin: Fagus sylvatica. Astrology: Saturn. Element: Air, Earth.
Spiritual Meaning Beech Tree: Beech Tree Magic and ancient knowledge revealed. Letting go of fixed ideas that are restricting and binding. Learning from the past. Continue reading about beech tree >
Guelder Rose Ogham Meaning
Ogham letter: P. English: Guelder Rose, Water or Swamp Elder. Celtic: Peith. Element: Water
Spiritual Meaning Guelder Rose: Guelder Rose Horizon? Day of Creation? Birth – Death – Rebirth is the continuous universal life cycle. New projects are blessed with success. Continue reading about the guelder rose>