Kenaz

The k-rune ᚲ (Younger Futhark ᚴ, Anglo-Saxon Futhorc ᚳ) is referred to as Kaun in both the Norwegian and Icelandic rune poems, meaning "ulcer." The reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is Kauną. It is also known as Kenaz ("torch") based on its Anglo-Saxon name.

The form of the Elder Futhark is likely directly derived from the Old Italic c (C, 𐌂) and the Latin C. The forms in the Younger Futhark and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc have parallels in the Old Italic forms of k (K, 𐌊) and the Latin K (compare the Helminschrift of Negau). The corresponding Gothic letter is 𐌺 k, called kusma.

The form of the Kaun rune in the Younger Futhark (ᚴ) is identical to the "bookhand" s-rune in the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc. The rune ᚴ also appears in some continental runic inscriptions, where it is believed to represent the sound /χ/, resulting from the High German consonant shift (e.g., ᛖᛚᚴ elch in Nordendorf II).

Rune Poem Translations

Old Norwegian: ᚴ Kaun er barna bǫlvan; bǫl gjørver nán fǫlvan.
An ulcer is deadly for children;
Death makes a corpse pale.

Old Icelandic: ᚴ Kaun er barna böl ok bardaga [för] ok holdfúa hús.
An illness deadly for children,
A painful spot,
A place of punishment.

Anglo-Saxon: ᚳ Cen byþ cƿicera gehƿam, cuþ on fyre, blac ond beorhtlic, byrneþ oftust þær hi æþelingas inne restaþ.
The torch is known to every living person,
By its pale, bright flame; it always burns
Where princes sit inside.

Notes:

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