Mysterious inscription in the Eldena monastery: What does the rune þiriX” say?

Mysterious inscription in the Eldena monastery: What does the rune þiriX” say?

In picturesque Western Pomerania, more precisely in the Eldena monastery ruins near Greifswald, a mysterious inscription was discovered that could date from the 13th century. This discovery, which was made in 1996 in the east wing of the cloister area of ​​the former Cistercian monastery of Eldena, caused a great stir among experts. Linguist Prof. Christer Lindqvist from the University of Greifswald is working intensively on the inscription, which bears the characters “þiriX” and suggests an exciting connection to the old Danish language.

The first four characters of the inscription, particularly the rune-like “þ”, may have been written in Old Danish. This suggests that there were historical Danish influences in Eldena. Possible interpretations of the inscription include the name “Þı̄rir”, but also a verbal statement such as “(ek) þerri”, which in German means something like “(I) dry”. The last character, “X”, can be interpreted in many ways; it could be interpreted as both a Roman numeral and a Christian symbol. However, why and by whom this inscription was carved into the brick remains unclear, although both craftsmen and monks are considered possible authors. NDR reports that ...

A window to the past

The Eldena monastery ruins are not only a popular excursion destination, but also a place of research that always raises exciting questions. With its founding in 1199, the monastic community played a crucial role in the regional cultural and language development. Prof. Lindqvist highlights that the inscription opens new perspectives on the Danish-speaking community up to the second half of the 13th century.

The inscription itself, ritual and artistic, provides a deep insight into the linguistic and cultural landscape of the Middle Ages. The Latin interpretations are particularly fascinating: the expression “þir” in conjunction with the Latin “dīrus” and the final “IX” could be interpreted as a Christian protective formula. The University of Greifswald links further details on this exciting topic.

Artistic homage to Caspar David Friedrich

The excitement surrounding the inscription comes in a special year in which Greifswald celebrates the 250th birthday of Caspar David Friedrich. The famous painter, who often chose the Eldena monastery ruins as a motif, not only shaped the region, but also had an impact far beyond its borders. Over 150 artists have been inspired by his style and are currently showing their works in Szczecin. In addition, an exciting tour over seven stages from Wolgast via Greifswald to Rügen follows in the master's footsteps, which is very popular with art and nature lovers.

These discoveries invite you to experience Northern Germany's past through the lens of cultural heritage and creative work. The mysterious inscription in Eldena remains a mystery, but it also opens a window into a bygone era that is of interest not only to historians, but also to anyone interested in the history of our region.