# Rune Seasons

One of the fascinating aspects of Runes is their naming system. A Rune's name must be unique and composed entirely of uppercase letters from A to Z. At launch, these names could range from 13 to 26 characters in length. However, over time, users will gain the ability to etch Runes with progressively shorter names.

This will occur through a structured rollout, where every four months following the launch, a new, shorter character limit for Rune names will be unlocked. For instance, by August 2024, four months after Runes' debut, all 12-character Rune names will become available for etching. Four months later, the 11-character Rune names will unlock, and so on.

This process is scheduled to continue until the next Bitcoin Halving in 2028, with the final four-month period allowing for the etching of single-character Rune names. 

These unlocks will happen gradually, on a block-by-block basis. Each new block will unveil additional available Rune names, ensuring that all possible names within a given character count are unlocked by the end of the respective four-month period.

This rolling release mechanism creates an inherent hype cycle for Runes over the next four years, effectively dividing their evolution into distinct "seasons." 

Moreover, it presents intriguing implications from a market perspective. For example, if the unlocking of 3-6 character Rune names coincides with a bear market, users might seize the opportunity to etch and mint highly coveted, shorter Rune names at a time when Bitcoin prices and transaction fees are relatively low.