What is "kaunan"

The k- rune (Younger Futhark , Anglo-Saxon futhorc ) is called Kaun in both the Norwegian and Icelandic rune poems, meaning " ulcer". The reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is *Kaunan. It is also known as Kenaz ("torch"), based on its Anglo-Saxon name.

The Elder Futhark shape is likely directly based on Old Italic c ???? / Latin C. The Younger Futhark / Futhorc shapes have parallels in Old Italic shapes of k ????, Latin K (compare the Negau helmet inscription). The corresponding Gothic letter is ???? k, called kusma.

The shape of the Younger Futhark kaun rune is identical to that of the "bookhand" s rune in the Anglo-Saxon futhorc. The rune also occurs in some continental runic inscriptions. It has been suggested that in these instances, it represents the ch /χ/ sound resulting from the Old High German sound shift (e.g. elch in Nordendorf II).

Rune Poem:

English Translation:

Old Norwegian
Kaun er barna bǫlvan;
bǫl gørver nán fǫlvan.

Ulcer is fatal to children;
death makes a corpse pale.

Old Icelandic
Kaun er barna böl
ok bardaga [för]
ok holdfúa hús.
flagella konungr.

Disease fatal to children
and painful spot
and abode of mortification.

Anglo-Saxon
Cen byþ cwicera gehwam, cuþ on fyre
blac ond beorhtlic, byrneþ oftust
ðær hi æþelingas inne restaþ.

The torch is known to every living man
by its pale, bright flame; it always burns
where princes sit within.

colspan=2 |Notes:

• The Icelandic poem is glossed with Latin flagella "whip".
• The Anglo-Saxon poem gives the name cen "torch".