The runes of Sleep Token

The runes on Vessel’s mask, as well as the band’s logo, form a binding rune composed of four symbols from the Elder Futhark runic alphabet.

These four runes are Tiwaz, Nauthiz, Wunjo, and Uruz. Together, they create one half of the mask's design. When this left side is mirrored and placed alongside itself, it forms the complete binding rune. In rune lore, mirroring a rune typically inverts its meaning, suggesting that the right side could represent the opposite or shadow aspect of the left — perhaps symbolizing Sleep. This theme of duality and mirroring between Vessel and Sleep is a recurring motif in their work.

At the center of the binding rune, there is a vault-like shape that does not correspond to any known Elder Futhark symbol. We believe this shape could represent a portal — a passage between death and rebirth, or the gateway from Eden to Arcadia.