# Chapter 2: Rune Identification and Etching

Every rune is identifiable by a unique ID, comprising the block number of its creation and the transaction index within that block, formatted as `BLOCK:TX`. This ID system facilitates easy tracking and verification of each rune's origin.

#### The Etching Process

The etching process brings runes into existence, setting immutable properties such as name, divisibility, and currency symbol. This process is irreversible, ensuring the permanence of a rune's characteristics from the moment of its creation.

**Names and Divisibility**

* **Names:** Rune names are alphabetic, ranging from one to twenty-eight characters, optionally including spacers for readability. The uniqueness of a name is unaffected by these spacers, maintaining integrity in identification.
* **Divisibility:** This property determines how a rune can be subdivided, directly affecting its granularity and application in transactions.

**Symbols and Premine**

* **Symbols:** A rune's symbol, a single Unicode character, denotes its currency symbol. In the absence of a custom symbol, a generic sign is used.
* **Premine:** The etcher has the option to pre-allocate units of the rune, setting the foundation for its initial distribution and circulation.
