Viking Rune Bead Eihwaz: The Yew, the Tree that Never Dies
Specifications
| Color | Bronze |
| Material | Zinc alloy, patinated bronze finish |
| Dimensions | Height: 10 mm | Diameter: 8 mm | Hole: 6 mm |
| For | Unisex |
- For: men and women (adults)
- Zinc alloy, patinated bronze finish
- 6 mm hole · worn on a beard or hair braid
- Sold individually, height 10 mm, diameter 8 mm
- Free shipping from 49€ · secure payment
Eihwaz, the Yew — the wood of bows and the tree of graveyards
A vertical shaft angled at the top right and bottom left, engraved in a cartouche on a beard and hair bead made of patinated bronze. Eihwaz names the yew, and few trees have carried as many contradictory meanings in the North.
Find this model in our collection of Viking beard and hair beads.
What sets this beard bead apart
- A design that exists only here: the two opposing bends are not found on any other rune in the Elder Futhark.
- The most useful and most toxic tree at once — a yew bow survives for centuries, while its berries kill livestock.
- A slip-on, not a clasp: the bead slides onto the lock of hair before braiding. It is the thickness of the braid that secures it, so there is nothing that can break.
- Approx. 6 mm hole: the only criterion that truly matters. It should be slightly narrower than the finished braid, and slightly wider than the loose hair.
Specifications
- Material: Zinc alloy, patinated bronze finish
- Inner hole: approx. 6 mm
- Dimensions: approx. 10 mm high, 8 mm in diameter
- Wear: beard, mustache, or hair, on a braided lock
- Sold: individually
Did you know?
The yew is one of the few trees in the North to remain green throughout the winter, and its wood is supple enough to make bows that last: some have been found in peat bogs, still intact after millennia. The Anglo-Saxon rune poem describes it as "rough outside, guardian of the fire" — an obscure image sometimes explained by the use of its wood for torches. Its durability and evergreen foliage explain why it is still planted in graveyards across Northern Europe today.
To learn more, our Viking hairstyle guide details cuts, braids, and beards, with sources provided, and our Futhark alphabet guide covers each sign one by one.
Complete your series
What does the Eihwaz rune mean?
The yew. The Anglo-Saxon rune poem describes it as rough on the outside, firmly rooted, and calls it the guardian of the fire.
Is it Eihwaz or Eiwaz?
Eihwaz is the most common reconstructed form; Eiwaz and Ihwaz are also in use. It is the thirteenth sign of the Elder Futhark.
Why did the yew matter to the peoples of the North?
Its flexible, durable wood was used to make bows, and it stays green all winter. That is why it is still found planted in cemeteries across Northern Europe.
What strand thickness does this bead fit?
A hole of about 6 mm, suited to a medium-density beard braid or a thin braid of hair.
Delivery — Allow 7 to 15 business days for mainland France, 10 to 20 days for the European Union. Free delivery on orders over €49.
Delivery guarantee — If your parcel is not delivered within 60 business days, we will provide an immediate reshipment or a full refund.
14-day returns — You have 14 calendar days from receipt to request an exchange or refund. The item must be returned within this period, in its original packaging.
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