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In the narrowest sense, Thorn is the name of an evil giant. His figure has survived to the present in the children's fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. It has been translated more generally as Demon.

The shape of the rune is sharp and cutting-like a tooth or claw. This probably led the Anglo-Saxons to change the meaning to the thorn found on rose bushes. Both old and new meanings retain the idea of pain and strife. The Old English Rune Poem reads:

The thorn is extremely sharp, painful for any warrior to grasp, immeasurably fierce to any man who rests among them.

This seems an exaggerated description to be used by a warrior accustomed to hardship of all sorts, but when applied to a giant demon, it is appropriate. Although the early meaning of the rune was forgotten, its associations lingered on. The demon Thorn might well be called immeasurably fierce.

In general, the rune conveys a sense of evil force inimical to human will. It is the brute destructive power of Chaos opposed to the world order. All the worst associations of the frost giants apply here. Giants were called "torturers of women" in Scandinavian rune poems, a term summarizing their base cruelty.

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MEANINGS:

UPRIGHT:

Malice, petty spite, vindictive cowardly actions, lies, deliberate attempts to hurt, sowing of confusion and doubt, rejoicing in the misfortunes of others, torture of the weak, persecution of the innocent, hatred, envy, jealousy. A wicked man or woman.

REVERSED:

Poetic justice, the tables turned, falling into one's own trap, payment in kind, just deserts,evil thwarted, a vengeful act that misfires, a purging, catharsis, clearing of the air, exposure of true nature through words or actions, the mask let slip.

KEY: EVIL