Berkanan

Template:Short description Template:Infobox rune Template:Contains special characters Berkanan is the reconstructed Proto-Germanic name of the b rune Template:Runic, meaning "birch". In the Younger Futhark it is called Bjarkan in the Icelandic and Norwegian rune poems. In the Anglo-Saxon rune poem it is called beorc ("birch" or "poplar"). The corresponding Gothic letter is 𐌱 b, named bairkan.

The letter shape is likely directly based on Old Italic B 𐌁, whence comes also the Latin letter B.

The rune is recorded in all three rune poems:

Rune Poem:<ref>Original poems and translation from the Rune Poem Page Template:Webarchive.</ref>	English Translation:
Old Norwegian Template:Runic Bjarkan er laufgrønstr líma; Loki bar flærða tíma.	Birch has the greenest leaves of any shrub; Loki was fortunate in his deceit.
Old Icelandic Template:Runic Bjarkan er laufgat lim ok lítit tré ok ungsamligr viðr.	Birch is a leafy twig and little tree and fresh young shrub.
Anglo-Saxon Template:Runic Beorc bẏþ bleda leas, bereþ efne sƿa ðeah tanas butan tudder, biþ on telgum ƿlitig, heah on helme hrẏsted fægere, geloden leafum, lẏfte getenge.	The poplar bears no fruit; yet without seed it brings forth suckers, for it is generated from its leaves. Splendid are its branches and gloriously adorned its lofty crown which reaches to the skies.

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