“No one is a complete fool if he knows how to hold his tongue.” - Grettissaga ch 88
Literal Meaning & History
Kaun or Kenaz most probably means “to know”. Know may even come from the same root.
The words Kunna in icelandic, känna and kunna in swedish, and similar words in the other nordic languages most certainly have the same root which is connected to this word.
There are however more than one word in these langages that mean “to know” for a reason.
There is a word for knowing as in knowing a person.
There is a word for knowing as in knowing a piece of information.
There is a word for knowing as in understanding a piece of information.
And there is a word for knowing as in recognizing.
There is a word for knowing as in knowing a piece of information.
There is a word for knowing as in understanding a piece of information.
And there is a word for knowing as in recognizing.
The words that share a root with Kenaz apply to three of these four.
Knowing a person.
Recognizing.
And Understanding.
Knowing a person.
Recognizing.
And Understanding.
Etmylogically this holds true for the old nordic term that this rune’s name comes from.
The word for knowing a piece of information is “vita” and is a distinctly different word both in it’s spelling and sound, and it’s meaning.
The word for knowing a piece of information is “vita” and is a distinctly different word both in it’s spelling and sound, and it’s meaning.
It’s possible that the words kunna and vita, or their old forms, were involved in shaping the english words knowledge and wisdom.
Figurative Meaning & Symbolism
Kaun/Kenaz at it’s core refers to “comprehension”.
it’s the point where merely knowing a thing and completely understanding a thing cross paths.
it’s the point where merely knowing a thing and completely understanding a thing cross paths.
It’s knowing the size and power of the sun, and understanding the immensity of it all and all it’s implications.
In a way it describes something that we as human beings are perhaps not fully able to do, at least not in regards to just about anything.
In a way it describes something that we as human beings are perhaps not fully able to do, at least not in regards to just about anything.
It’s the ability to comprehend fully, beyond surface knowledge.
It’s the wisdom to know what you know and what you can’t know.
It’s the ability to understand.
It’s the mental, intellectual, psychological part of creativity.
It’s the rush of inspiration.
It’s knowledge as well as wisdom.
It’s the wisdom to know what you know and what you can’t know.
It’s the ability to understand.
It’s the mental, intellectual, psychological part of creativity.
It’s the rush of inspiration.
It’s knowledge as well as wisdom.
Knowledge as well as wisdom is pretty huge within the norse/teutonic mythology, and it is always something that comes with a price or a word of warning.
Being wise and knowledgeable is something to desire, to strive for, but one should always remember that this comes with a price, and that it’s super important to know your limits.
Being wise and knowledgeable is something to desire, to strive for, but one should always remember that this comes with a price, and that it’s super important to know your limits.
Wisdom and knowledge are something that everyone can obtain and should strive for, within their own limits and within human limits.
The Hávamál has several stanzas regarding this and one line comes to mind especially. “No man should know his fate until they’ve play out.” Knowing your fate, knowing and understanding the path you are on and knowing and understanding where it leads, inevitably changes the outcome.
The Hávamál has several stanzas regarding this and one line comes to mind especially. “No man should know his fate until they’ve play out.” Knowing your fate, knowing and understanding the path you are on and knowing and understanding where it leads, inevitably changes the outcome.
Knowledge & Wisdom can make a man powerful and dangerous, to himself and others.
Knowledge & Wisdom take hard work.
Knowledge & Wisdom can make others hostile towards you, even lead to your ostracization.
The hunt for knowledge & wisdom can even lead you to ignore your body’s needs, should you take it too far.
Knowledge & Wisdom take hard work.
Knowledge & Wisdom can make others hostile towards you, even lead to your ostracization.
The hunt for knowledge & wisdom can even lead you to ignore your body’s needs, should you take it too far.
In all things moderation. Context is key.
The little rune poem above reads approximately;
Kaun is cursed by children,
and the battle’s outcome,
and the fading of flesh. (literally “and the home of leprosy”)
Kaun is cursed by children,
and the battle’s outcome,
and the fading of flesh. (literally “and the home of leprosy”)
Suggested Homework
Look for an impossible question, a philosophical conundrum, or something that is so far removed from your life, your experience that truly understanding it might very well be beyond you.
Write it down.
Look at it.
Try to understand it.
Look at it.
Try to understand it.
The sun, as I mentioned before, is a pretty good exercise.
The impossible question would then be “How big is the sun?”
Then you look up and write down the numbers, and if you’re able, sit in the sun, look at photos and illustrations that depict the sun, it’s size difference compared to earth and compared to other stars.
Look at them and try to understand, try to wrap your mind around just how big that thing is, and what that means.
The impossible question would then be “How big is the sun?”
Then you look up and write down the numbers, and if you’re able, sit in the sun, look at photos and illustrations that depict the sun, it’s size difference compared to earth and compared to other stars.
Look at them and try to understand, try to wrap your mind around just how big that thing is, and what that means.
Push your mind until your head hurts.
Know that you are smart.
Intelligence isn’t a finite resource and it doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
It relies on context.
Intelligence isn’t a finite resource and it doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
It relies on context.
Note down any thoughts on the nature of comprehension that you feel are important.
