What Is Ogham?
Ogham (pronounced “OH-um” or “OG-um”) is an ancient Celtic alphabet used mainly in early Ireland and parts of Wales and Scotland between the 4th and 7th centuries AD. It consists of a series of lines or notches carved along a central line, usually on stone pillars or wooden surfaces.
Each Ogham character represents a sound, and most are named after trees — such as Beith (Birch), Luis (Rowan), and Nion (Ash). The alphabet was used for short inscriptions, names, and boundary markers, and represents the earliest written form of the Irish language.
Today, Ogham is a lasting symbol of Irish heritage and appears in art, jewelry, tattoos, and Celtic studies.
What Is an Ogham Stone?
An Ogham can also refer to an inscription, stone, or artifact that bears writing in the Ogham alphabet. Most surviving examples are tall standing stones with text carved along one edge, often recording personal names or lineages.
These Ogham stones are found throughout Ireland, western Britain, and the Isle of Man, and they offer unique insight into the language and culture of early medieval Ireland.
How Do You Pronounce Ogham?
The word Ogham is most commonly pronounced “OH-um,” though “OG-um” is also widely used. In modern Irish (spelled Ogam), it’s pronounced closer to “OH-um.”
Both forms are correct, but “OH-um” is the more common pronunciation in academic and cultural contexts.
How to Write in Ogham
To write in Ogham, you use a central line (the stemline) and carve or draw short strokes to represent each letter. Traditionally, Ogham inscriptions run from bottom to top on stone, but modern writers often write left to right.
Basic Steps:
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Draw a vertical or horizontal line — this is your guide (stemline).
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Add short lines to the left, right, across, or through it to form letters.
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Each group of one to five strokes stands for a letter.
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Use an Ogham chart to match strokes to modern letters (for example: one stroke = B, two = L, three = F).