diff --git a/core/src/aztec/AZDecoder.cpp b/core/src/aztec/AZDecoder.cpp
index c33324afcf..f38fbe3fef 100644
--- a/core/src/aztec/AZDecoder.cpp
+++ b/core/src/aztec/AZDecoder.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "GenericGF.h"
 #include "ReedSolomonDecoder.h"
 #include "ZXTestSupport.h"
+#include "ZXAlgorithms.h"
 
 #include <cctype>
 #include <cstring>
@@ -346,9 +347,24 @@ DecoderResult Decode(const BitArray& bits)
 	return DecoderResult(std::move(res)).setStructuredAppend(sai);
 }
 
+DecoderResult DecodeRune(const DetectorResult& detectorResult) {
+	Content res;
+	res.symbology = {'z', 'C', 0}; // Runes cannot have ECI
+
+	// Bizarrely, this is what it says to do in the spec
+	auto runeString = ToString(detectorResult.runeValue(), 3);
+	res.append(runeString);
+
+	return DecoderResult(std::move(res));
+}
+
 DecoderResult Decode(const DetectorResult& detectorResult)
 {
 	try {
+		if (detectorResult.nbLayers() == 0) {
+			// This is a rune - just return the rune value
+			return DecodeRune(detectorResult);
+		}
 		auto bits = CorrectBits(detectorResult, ExtractBits(detectorResult));
 		return Decode(bits);
 	} catch (Error e) {
diff --git a/core/src/aztec/AZDetector.cpp b/core/src/aztec/AZDetector.cpp
index bd528d2b64..51975958d6 100644
--- a/core/src/aztec/AZDetector.cpp
+++ b/core/src/aztec/AZDetector.cpp
@@ -109,12 +109,17 @@ static std::optional<ConcentricPattern> LocateAztecCenter(const BitMatrix& image
 static std::vector<ConcentricPattern> FindPureFinderPattern(const BitMatrix& image)
 {
 	int left, top, width, height;
-	if (!image.findBoundingBox(left, top, width, height, 11)) // 11 is the size of an Aztec Rune, see ISO/IEC 24778:2008(E) Annex A
-		return {};
+	if (!image.findBoundingBox(left, top, width, height, 11)) {  // 11 is the size of an Aztec Rune, see ISO/IEC 24778:2008(E) Annex A
+		// Runes 68 and 223 have none of their bits set on the bottom row
+		if (image.findBoundingBox(left, top, width, height, 10) && (width == 11) && (height == 10))
+			height = 11;
+		else
+			return {};
+	}	
 
 	PointF p(left + width / 2, top + height / 2);
 	constexpr auto PATTERN = FixedPattern<7, 7>{1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1};
-	if (auto pattern = LocateConcentricPattern(image, PATTERN, p, width / 2))
+	if (auto pattern = LocateConcentricPattern(image, PATTERN, p, width))
 		return {*pattern};
 	else
 		return {};
@@ -261,9 +266,10 @@ static uint32_t SampleOrientationBits(const BitMatrix& image, const PerspectiveT
 	return bits;
 }
 
-static int ModeMessage(const BitMatrix& image, const PerspectiveTransform& mod2Pix, int radius)
+static int ModeMessage(const BitMatrix& image, const PerspectiveTransform& mod2Pix, int radius, bool& isRune)
 {
 	const bool compact = radius == 5;
+	isRune = false;
 
 	// read the bits between the corner bits along the 4 edges
 	uint64_t bits = 0;
@@ -291,7 +297,21 @@ static int ModeMessage(const BitMatrix& image, const PerspectiveTransform& mod2P
 		words[i] = narrow_cast<int>(bits & 0xF);
 		bits >>= 4;
 	}
-	if (!ReedSolomonDecode(GenericGF::AztecParam(), words, numECCodewords))
+
+	bool decodeResult = ReedSolomonDecode(GenericGF::AztecParam(), words, numECCodewords);
+
+	if ((!decodeResult) && compact) {
+		// Is this a Rune?
+		for (auto& word : words)
+			word ^= 0b1010;
+		
+		decodeResult = ReedSolomonDecode(GenericGF::AztecParam(), words, numECCodewords);
+
+		if (decodeResult)
+			isRune = true;
+	}
+
+	if (!decodeResult)
 		return -1;
 
 	int res = 0;
@@ -350,6 +370,7 @@ DetectorResults Detect(const BitMatrix& image, bool isPure, bool tryHarder, int
 		int mirror; // 0 or 1
 		int rotate; // [0..3]
 		int modeMessage = -1;
+		bool isRune = false;
 		[&]() {
 			// 24778:2008(E) 14.3.3 reads:
 			// In the outer layer of the Core Symbol, the 12 orientation bits at the corners are bitwise compared against the specified
@@ -369,7 +390,7 @@ DetectorResults Detect(const BitMatrix& image, bool isPure, bool tryHarder, int
 					rotate = FindRotation(bits, mirror);
 					if (rotate == -1)
 						continue;
-					modeMessage = ModeMessage(image, PerspectiveTransform(srcQuad, RotatedCorners(*fpQuad, rotate, mirror)), radius);
+					modeMessage = ModeMessage(image, PerspectiveTransform(srcQuad, RotatedCorners(*fpQuad, rotate, mirror)), radius, isRune);
 					if (modeMessage != -1)
 						return;
 				}
@@ -399,7 +420,9 @@ DetectorResults Detect(const BitMatrix& image, bool isPure, bool tryHarder, int
 		int nbLayers = 0;
 		int nbDataBlocks = 0;
 		bool readerInit = false;
-		ExtractParameters(modeMessage, radius == 5, nbLayers, nbDataBlocks, readerInit);
+		if (!isRune) {
+			ExtractParameters(modeMessage, radius == 5, nbLayers, nbDataBlocks, readerInit);
+		}
 
 		int dim = radius == 5 ? 4 * nbLayers + 11 : 4 * nbLayers + 2 * ((2 * nbLayers + 6) / 15) + 15;
 		double low = dim / 2.0 + srcQuad[0].x;
@@ -409,7 +432,7 @@ DetectorResults Detect(const BitMatrix& image, bool isPure, bool tryHarder, int
 		if (!bits.isValid())
 			continue;
 
-		res.emplace_back(std::move(bits), radius == 5, nbDataBlocks, nbLayers, readerInit, mirror != 0);
+		res.emplace_back(std::move(bits), radius == 5, nbDataBlocks, nbLayers, readerInit, mirror != 0, isRune ? modeMessage : -1);
 
 		if (Size(res) == maxSymbols)
 			break;
diff --git a/core/src/aztec/AZDetectorResult.h b/core/src/aztec/AZDetectorResult.h
index cd65e9daab..37e60a1554 100644
--- a/core/src/aztec/AZDetectorResult.h
+++ b/core/src/aztec/AZDetectorResult.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ class DetectorResult : public ZXing::DetectorResult
 	int _nbLayers = 0;
 	bool _readerInit = false;
 	bool _isMirrored = false;
+	int _runeValue = -1;
 
 	DetectorResult(const DetectorResult&) = delete;
 	DetectorResult& operator=(const DetectorResult&) = delete;
@@ -28,13 +29,14 @@ class DetectorResult : public ZXing::DetectorResult
 	DetectorResult(DetectorResult&&) noexcept = default;
 	DetectorResult& operator=(DetectorResult&&) noexcept = default;
 
-	DetectorResult(ZXing::DetectorResult&& result, bool isCompact, int nbDatablocks, int nbLayers, bool readerInit, bool isMirrored)
+	DetectorResult(ZXing::DetectorResult&& result, bool isCompact, int nbDatablocks, int nbLayers, bool readerInit, bool isMirrored, int runeValue)
 		: ZXing::DetectorResult{std::move(result)},
 		  _compact(isCompact),
 		  _nbDatablocks(nbDatablocks),
 		  _nbLayers(nbLayers),
 		  _readerInit(readerInit),
-		  _isMirrored(isMirrored)
+		  _isMirrored(isMirrored),
+		  _runeValue(runeValue)
 	{}
 
 	bool isCompact() const { return _compact; }
@@ -42,6 +44,9 @@ class DetectorResult : public ZXing::DetectorResult
 	int nbLayers() const { return _nbLayers; }
 	bool readerInit() const { return _readerInit; }
 	bool isMirrored() const { return _isMirrored; }
+
+	// Only meaningful is nbDatablocks == 0
+	int runeValue() const { return _runeValue; }
 };
 
 } // namespace ZXing::Aztec
diff --git a/core/src/aztec/AZEncoder.cpp b/core/src/aztec/AZEncoder.cpp
index f45eb000db..00b3108463 100644
--- a/core/src/aztec/AZEncoder.cpp
+++ b/core/src/aztec/AZEncoder.cpp
@@ -82,6 +82,19 @@ void GenerateModeMessage(bool compact, int layers, int messageSizeInWords, BitAr
 	}
 }
 
+ZXING_EXPORT_TEST_ONLY
+void GenerateRuneMessage(uint8_t word, BitArray& runeMessage)
+{
+	runeMessage = BitArray();
+	runeMessage.appendBits(word, 8);
+	GenerateCheckWords(runeMessage, 28, 4, runeMessage);
+	// Now flip every other bit
+
+	BitArray xorBits;
+	xorBits.appendBits(0xAAAAAAAA, 28);
+	runeMessage.bitwiseXOR(xorBits);
+}
+
 static void DrawModeMessage(BitMatrix& matrix, bool compact, int matrixSize, const BitArray& modeMessage)
 {
 	int center = matrixSize / 2;
@@ -176,7 +189,13 @@ Encoder::Encode(const std::string& data, int minECCPercent, int userSpecifiedLay
 	int totalBitsInLayer;
 	int wordSize;
 	BitArray stuffedBits;
-	if (userSpecifiedLayers != DEFAULT_AZTEC_LAYERS) {
+	if (userSpecifiedLayers == AZTEC_RUNE_LAYERS) {
+		compact = true;
+		layers = 0;
+		totalBitsInLayer = 0;
+		wordSize = 0;
+		stuffedBits = BitArray(0);
+	} else if (userSpecifiedLayers != DEFAULT_AZTEC_LAYERS) {
 		compact = userSpecifiedLayers < 0;
 		layers = std::abs(userSpecifiedLayers);
 		if (layers > (compact ? MAX_NB_BITS_COMPACT : MAX_NB_BITS)) {
@@ -225,13 +244,21 @@ Encoder::Encode(const std::string& data, int minECCPercent, int userSpecifiedLay
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	BitArray messageBits;
-	GenerateCheckWords(stuffedBits, totalBitsInLayer, wordSize, messageBits);
 
-	// generate mode message
-	int messageSizeInWords = stuffedBits.size() / wordSize;
+	BitArray messageBits;
 	BitArray modeMessage;
-	GenerateModeMessage(compact, layers, messageSizeInWords, modeMessage);
+	int messageSizeInWords;
+
+	if (layers == 0) {
+		// This is a rune, and messageBits should be empty
+		messageBits = BitArray(0);
+		messageSizeInWords = 0;
+		GenerateRuneMessage(data[0], modeMessage);
+	} else {
+		GenerateCheckWords(stuffedBits, totalBitsInLayer, wordSize, messageBits);
+		messageSizeInWords = stuffedBits.size() / wordSize;
+		GenerateModeMessage(compact, layers, messageSizeInWords, modeMessage);
+	}
 
 	// allocate symbol
 	int baseMatrixSize = (compact ? 11 : 14) + layers * 4; // not including alignment lines
diff --git a/core/src/aztec/AZEncoder.h b/core/src/aztec/AZEncoder.h
index 47311c0c90..b5cd7ff465 100644
--- a/core/src/aztec/AZEncoder.h
+++ b/core/src/aztec/AZEncoder.h
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ class Encoder
 public:
 	static const int DEFAULT_EC_PERCENT = 33; // default minimal percentage of error check words
 	static const int DEFAULT_AZTEC_LAYERS = 0;
+	static const int AZTEC_RUNE_LAYERS = 0xFF;
 
 	static EncodeResult Encode(const std::string& data, int minECCPercent, int userSpecifiedLayers);
 };
diff --git a/test/blackbox/BlackboxTestRunner.cpp b/test/blackbox/BlackboxTestRunner.cpp
index 226ea2e7ff..a3fed245b1 100644
--- a/test/blackbox/BlackboxTestRunner.cpp
+++ b/test/blackbox/BlackboxTestRunner.cpp
@@ -334,12 +334,16 @@ int runBlackBoxTests(const fs::path& testPathPrefix, const std::set<std::string>
 		auto startTime = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
 
 		// clang-format off
-		runTests("aztec-1", "Aztec", 27, {
-			{ 26, 27, 0   },
-			{ 26, 27, 90  },
-			{ 26, 27, 180 },
-			{ 26, 27, 270 },
-			{ 25, 0, pure },
+
+		// Expected failures:
+		// abc-inverted.png (fast) - fast does not try inverted
+		// az-thick.png (pure)
+		runTests("aztec-1", "Aztec", 31, {
+			{ 30, 31, 0   },
+			{ 30, 31, 90  },
+			{ 30, 31, 180 },
+			{ 30, 31, 270 },
+			{ 29, 0, pure },
 		});
 
 		runTests("aztec-2", "Aztec", 22, {
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.png b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3fbb06cd88
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.png differ
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.result.txt b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.result.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2be1501c62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.result.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+symbologyIdentifier=]zC
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.txt b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0f3016682b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-1.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+001
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-223.png b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-223.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..784a0649c3
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-223.png differ
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-223.txt b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-223.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fca7fbef0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-223.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+223
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-64.png b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-64.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..725929e449
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-64.png differ
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-64.txt b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-64.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..06b7423029
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-64.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+064
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-68.png b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-68.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bb7086941f
Binary files /dev/null and b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-68.png differ
diff --git a/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-68.txt b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-68.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9c93a7313c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/samples/aztec-1/rune-68.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+068
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/unit/aztec/AZDecoderTest.cpp b/test/unit/aztec/AZDecoderTest.cpp
index beae00357c..2d85313e4a 100644
--- a/test/unit/aztec/AZDecoderTest.cpp
+++ b/test/unit/aztec/AZDecoderTest.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ using namespace ZXing;
 // Shorthand to call Decode()
 static DecoderResult parse(BitMatrix&& bits, bool compact, int nbDatablocks, int nbLayers)
 {
-	return Aztec::Decode({{std::move(bits), {}}, compact, nbDatablocks, nbLayers, false /*readerInit*/, false /*isMirrored*/});
+	return Aztec::Decode({{std::move(bits), {}}, compact, nbDatablocks, nbLayers, false /*readerInit*/, false /*isMirrored*/, 0 /*runeValue*/});
 }
 
 TEST(AZDecoderTest, AztecResult)
diff --git a/test/unit/aztec/AZDetectorTest.cpp b/test/unit/aztec/AZDetectorTest.cpp
index 242932f3b3..b58061e34e 100644
--- a/test/unit/aztec/AZDetectorTest.cpp
+++ b/test/unit/aztec/AZDetectorTest.cpp
@@ -426,3 +426,63 @@ TEST(AZDetectorTest, ReaderInitCompact)
 		EXPECT_EQ(r.nbLayers(), 1);
 	}
 }
+
+TEST(AZDetectorTest, Rune)
+{
+	{
+		auto r = Aztec::Detect(ParseBitMatrix(
+			"X X X   X   X   X   X \n"
+			"X X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"  X               X   \n"
+			"X X   X X X X X   X X \n"
+			"  X   X       X   X   \n"
+			"X X   X   X   X   X X \n"
+			"  X   X       X   X   \n"
+			"X X   X X X X X   X X \n"
+			"  X               X   \n"
+			"  X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"    X   X   X   X     \n"
+		), false /*isPure*/, false /*tryHarder*/);
+
+		EXPECT_TRUE(r.isValid());
+		EXPECT_EQ(r.nbDatablocks(), 0);
+		EXPECT_EQ(r.runeValue(), 0);
+	}
+	{
+		auto r = Aztec::Detect(ParseBitMatrix(
+			"X X X   X X     X   X \n"
+			"X X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"  X               X X \n"
+			"  X   X X X X X   X X \n"
+			"  X   X       X   X   \n"
+			"X X   X   X   X   X X \n"
+			"X X   X       X   X X \n"
+			"X X   X X X X X   X   \n"
+			"X X               X X \n"
+			"  X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"    X     X           \n"
+		), true /*isPure*/, false /*tryHarder*/);
+
+		EXPECT_TRUE(r.isValid());
+		EXPECT_EQ(r.nbDatablocks(), 0);
+		EXPECT_EQ(r.runeValue(), 25);
+	}
+	{
+		auto r = Aztec::Detect(ParseBitMatrix(
+			"X X             X   X \n"
+			"X X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"  X               X   \n"
+			"X X   X X X X X   X   \n"
+			"  X   X       X   X X \n"
+			"  X   X   X   X   X   \n"
+			"  X   X       X   X X \n"
+			"  X   X X X X X   X X \n"
+			"X X               X   \n"
+			"  X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"          X X         \n"
+		), true /*isPure*/, false /*tryHarder*/);
+
+		// This is just the core of a regular compact code, and not a valid rune
+		EXPECT_FALSE(r.isValid());
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/unit/aztec/AZEncodeDecodeTest.cpp b/test/unit/aztec/AZEncodeDecodeTest.cpp
index e07824f97b..8e84fe1a1d 100644
--- a/test/unit/aztec/AZEncodeDecodeTest.cpp
+++ b/test/unit/aztec/AZEncodeDecodeTest.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include "PseudoRandom.h"
 #include "TextEncoder.h"
 #include "aztec/AZDecoder.h"
+#include "aztec/AZDetector.h"
 #include "aztec/AZDetectorResult.h"
 #include "aztec/AZEncoder.h"
 #include "aztec/AZWriter.h"
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ namespace {
 	// Shorthand to call Decode()
 	static DecoderResult parse(BitMatrix&& bits, bool compact, int nbDatablocks, int nbLayers)
 	{
-		return Aztec::Decode({{std::move(bits), {}}, compact, nbDatablocks, nbLayers, false /*readerInit*/, false /*isMirrored*/});
+		return Aztec::Decode({{std::move(bits), {}}, compact, nbDatablocks, nbLayers, false /*readerInit*/, false /*isMirrored*/, 0 /*runeValue*/});
 	}
 
 	void TestEncodeDecode(const std::string& data, bool compact, int layers) {
@@ -228,3 +229,17 @@ TEST(AZEncodeDecodeTest, AztecWriter)
 							   Aztec::Encoder::DEFAULT_EC_PERCENT, Aztec::Encoder::DEFAULT_AZTEC_LAYERS);
 	EXPECT_EQ(matrix, aztec.matrix);
 }
+
+TEST(AZEncodeDecodeTest, RunePure)
+{
+	for(uint8_t word = 0; word < 255; word++) {
+		std::string data(1, word);
+		Aztec::EncodeResult aztec =
+			Aztec::Encoder::Encode(data, 0, Aztec::Encoder::AZTEC_RUNE_LAYERS);
+		
+		auto result = Aztec::Detect(aztec.matrix, true, false);
+		EXPECT_TRUE(result.isValid());
+		EXPECT_EQ(result.nbDatablocks(), 0);
+		EXPECT_EQ(result.runeValue(), word);
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/unit/aztec/AZEncoderTest.cpp b/test/unit/aztec/AZEncoderTest.cpp
index 045f15e3f3..06acb2e641 100644
--- a/test/unit/aztec/AZEncoderTest.cpp
+++ b/test/unit/aztec/AZEncoderTest.cpp
@@ -200,3 +200,52 @@ TEST(AZEncoderTest, BorderCompact4Case)
 	EXPECT_TRUE(aztec.compact);
 	EXPECT_EQ(aztec.layers, 4);
 }
+
+
+TEST(AZEncoderTest, Rune)
+{
+	{
+		Aztec::EncodeResult aztec = Aztec::Encoder::Encode("\x19", 0, Aztec::Encoder::AZTEC_RUNE_LAYERS);
+		
+		EXPECT_EQ(aztec.layers, 0);
+		EXPECT_EQ(aztec.matrix, ParseBitMatrix(
+			"X X X   X X     X   X \n"
+			"X X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"  X               X X \n"
+			"  X   X X X X X   X X \n"
+			"  X   X       X   X   \n"
+			"X X   X   X   X   X X \n"
+			"X X   X       X   X X \n"
+			"X X   X X X X X   X   \n"
+			"X X               X X \n"
+			"  X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"    X     X           \n"
+		));
+	}
+	{
+		Aztec::EncodeResult aztec = Aztec::Encoder::Encode("\xFF", 0, Aztec::Encoder::AZTEC_RUNE_LAYERS);
+		
+		EXPECT_EQ(aztec.layers, 0);
+		EXPECT_EQ(aztec.matrix, ParseBitMatrix(
+			"X X   X   X   X     X \n"
+			"X X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"  X               X X \n"
+			"X X   X X X X X   X X \n"
+			"X X   X       X   X X \n"
+			"  X   X   X   X   X X \n"
+			"  X   X       X   X   \n"
+			"X X   X X X X X   X X \n"
+			"X X               X   \n"
+			"  X X X X X X X X X X \n"
+			"    X X     X X X     \n"
+		));
+	}
+	{
+		Aztec::EncodeResult aztec = Aztec::Encoder::Encode("\x44", 0, Aztec::Encoder::AZTEC_RUNE_LAYERS);
+
+		std::cout << ToString(aztec.matrix, 'X', ' ', true);
+	}
+
+	
+	
+}
\ No newline at end of file