Ogham Alphabet
The Ogham alphabet consists of 20 letters arranged in four groups, used in ancient Ireland and Britain.
ᚁ
Beith
b
ᚂ
Luis
l
ᚃ
Fearn
f/v
ᚄ
Sail
s
ᚅ
Nion
n
ᚆ
Uath
h
ᚇ
Dair
d
ᚈ
Tinne
t
ᚉ
Coll
k
ᚊ
Ceirt
kw
ᚋ
Muin
m
ᚌ
Gort
g
ᚍ
Ngeadal
ng
ᚎ
Straif
st/z
ᚏ
Ruis
r
ᚐ
Ailm
a
ᚑ
Onn
o
ᚒ
Ur
u
ᚓ
Eadhadh
e
ᚔ
Iodhadh
i
Download Alphabet Chart
About the Ogham Alphabet
Ogham is an ancient Irish alphabet consisting of 20 letters arranged in four groups of five. Each letter is represented by a series of strokes or notches along a central line, typically carved on stone monuments. Ogham was used primarily for inscriptions in Old Irish from the 4th to 9th centuries CE.
History
Ogham was developed in Ireland around the 4th century CE, possibly based on Latin alphabet principles. It was used primarily for memorial inscriptions on standing stones. The script fell out of use after the 9th century with the adoption of Latin script, but remains an important part of Irish cultural heritage.
Key Features
- Written vertically or horizontally
- 20 letters in four groups
- Strokes along a central line
- Used 4th-9th centuries CE
- Found on stone monuments
- Ancient Irish script