Gebo
Gift
About Gebo
Gebo is the rune of sacred exchange — the gift that creates obligation, the partnership that binds through mutual generosity, the understanding that nothing of value is ever truly free. In Norse culture, gift-giving was the foundation of social bonds. A gift demanded a gift in return, and this ongoing exchange wove the social fabric that held communities together.
Upright Meaning
A gift is given or received — but in the Norse worldview, every gift creates an obligation. Gebo represents the sacred exchange that binds people together: generosity, partnership, and the mutual obligations that create community. A partnership deepens, a gift arrives, or an opportunity to give creates a bond that enriches both parties. Accept with grace. Give with intention.
No Reversed Meaning
Gebo has no reversed meaning in most traditions, as the X shape looks the same in any orientation. However, some readers note that Gebo's shadow is the gift with strings attached, the generosity that is actually manipulation, or the partnership that has become one-sided. If Gebo appears in a challenging position, examine whether your exchanges are truly mutual.