{"product_id":"perle-viking-rune-kaunaz-bronze","title":"Viking Rune Bead Kaunaz: the Torch or the Wound","description":"\u003ch2\u003eKaunaz — the only rune with two traditions giving opposite meanings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA simple angle opening to the right, engraved in an oval cartouche on a \u003cstrong\u003ebeard and hair bead\u003c\/strong\u003e made of patinated bronze. The design is the most economical of the Elder Futhark after Isa; its meaning, however, is the most contested of the entire alphabet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFind this model in our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/perles-viking-barbe-cheveux\"\u003ecollection of Viking beard and hair beads\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat sets this beard bead apart\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAmong the Anglo-Saxons, \u003cem\u003ecēn\u003c\/em\u003e: the torch, \"known to all living by its clear flame.\" Among the Norwegians and Icelanders, \u003cem\u003ekaun\u003c\/em\u003e: the ulcer, the festering wound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eTwo irreconcilable interpretations for the same sign — it is the rune to choose when you like things to have two sides.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eSlide-on, not a clasp:\u003c\/b\u003e the bead slides onto the lock of hair before braiding. The fullness of the braid holds it in place, so there is nothing that can break.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eHole of approximately 6 mm:\u003c\/b\u003e the only criterion that really decides. It should be slightly narrower than the finished braid, and slightly wider than the loose lock of hair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e Zinc alloy, patinated bronze finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eInner hole:\u003c\/b\u003e approximately 6 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e approximately 10 mm in height, 8 mm in diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eWear:\u003c\/b\u003e beard, mustache, or hair, on a braided lock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eSold:\u003c\/b\u003e individually\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDid you know?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe disagreement is not a copyist's error: both words truly exist, and each tradition kept its own. The Anglo-Saxon poem speaks of a \u003cstrong\u003etorch\u003c\/strong\u003e that burns \"where princes sit\"; the Scandinavian poems speak of a \u003cstrong\u003ecanker\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the Norwegian adds that \"misfortune makes a man pale.\" That the same sign carried light on one side of the North Sea and disease on the other says a lot about the caution one should exercise with any list of \"rune meanings\" that does not indicate its source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more, our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/news\/coiffure-viking\"\u003eViking hairstyle guide\u003c\/a\u003e details cuts, braids, and beards, with sources provided, and our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/news\/futhark-ancien-alphabet-runique-viking-complet\"\u003eFuthark alphabet guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers each sign one by one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eComplete your collection\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/perle-viking-rune-gebo-bronze\"\u003eViking Rune Gebo Bead: The Gift that Obligates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/perle-viking-rune-wunjo-bronze\"\u003eViking Rune Wunjo Bead: The Joy of the Group\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/perle-viking-rune-othala-bronze\"\u003eViking Rune Othala Bead: The Ancestral Domain\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n","brand":"Le Comptoir Viking","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57913628590462,"sku":"LCV-PERLE-RUNEKAUNAZBRONZE","price":7.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/0569\/8430\/files\/perle-viking-rune-kaunaz-bronze-ambiance.jpg?v=1787662015","url":"https:\/\/www.le-comptoir-viking.fr\/en\/products\/perle-viking-rune-kaunaz-bronze","provider":"Le Comptoir Viking","version":"1.0","type":"link"}