Bercilak Name Meaning & Details
Origin, Popularity, Numerology Analysis & Name Meaning of Bercilak
Discover the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the name BERCILAK. Delve into its historical roots and explore the lasting impact it has had on communities and traditions.
Name
Bercilak
Gender
Male
Origin
Arthurian
Lucky Number
7
Meaning of the Name
Bercilak is the name of the Green Knight from Arthurian legend, a mysterious figure who tests the virtue of King Arthur's knights. The name represents nature's enduring power and the challenges that reveal true character through supernatural tests and moral dilemmas.
Complete Numerology Analysis
Your Numerology Number
Based on Pythagorean Numerology System
Ruling Planet
Neptune (Ketu)
Positive Nature
Intuitive, analytical, spiritual, and inquisitive.
Negative Traits
Secretive, reserved, aloof, and can be overly critical.
Lucky Colours
Green, yellow.
Lucky Days
Monday.
Lucky Stones
Cat’s eye, moonstone.
Harmony Numbers
1, 5, 6.
Best Suited Professions
Scientists, researchers, spiritual leaders, detectives.
What People Like About You
Depth of knowledge, analytical skills, spirituality.
Famous People Named Bercilak
Sir Bercilak de Hautdesert
Arthurian Knight
The Green Knight who tested Sir Gawain's honor and courage in the famous beheading game
Bertilak (variant)
Literary Character
Lord of the castle where Gawain stayed during his quest for the Green Chapel
Bercilak the Enchanted
Mythological Figure
Revealed to be under Morgan le Fay's enchantment while testing Arthur's court
Name Variations & International Equivalents
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Cultural & Historical Significance
Bercilak's significance extends beyond mere antagonist; he serves as a moral instructor who ultimately helps Gawain understand the complexities of honor, truth, and human fallibility. His character bridges the gap between the supernatural and human realms, representing how external challenges can reveal inner character. The Green Knight's test becomes not just about physical courage but about the more subtle virtues of honesty, loyalty, and self-knowledge. This multilayered role makes Bercilak a crucial figure in understanding the moral complexity of Arthurian literature and its enduring appeal across centuries.
Extended Personality Analysis
Bercilak exhibits a complex personality blending supernatural authority with earthy humanity. He demonstrates immense courage and theatrical flair in his initial challenge to Arthur's court, showing no fear when offering his neck to Gawain's axe. As Lord Bertilak, he displays generous hospitality and cunning intelligence, orchestrating the elaborate test of Gawain's virtues through the hunting exchanges and his wife's temptations. His character combines merriment with serious purpose—he enjoys games and social interaction while maintaining his solemn duty as a tester of knightly virtue.
Bercilak shows remarkable patience and wisdom in his final revelation to Gawain, offering forgiveness and insight rather than punishment for the knight's small failing. This blend of supernatural power, psychological insight, and fundamental decency makes him one of Arthurian literature's most nuanced characters. He possesses a deep understanding of human nature, recognizing that perfection is unattainable but striving for virtue remains noble. His ability to shift between terrifying supernatural figure and gracious nobleman demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how to test character through both dramatic challenges and subtle temptations.
Modern Usage & Popularity
The name Bercilak remains extremely rare in modern usage, primarily confined to academic discussions of Arthurian literature and occasional use in fantasy fiction. It has never appeared in official baby name registries or popularity charts. Contemporary usage is almost exclusively limited to literary analysis, Arthurian enthusiast communities, and as a character name in fantasy role-playing games or fiction. The name's association with the Green Knight character makes it more recognizable than actually used, serving as a symbolic reference rather than a practical naming choice. Some modern pagan or nature-focused communities might appreciate its green associations, but it remains firmly in the domain of specialist interest rather than mainstream naming practice.
Symbolic & Spiritual Meanings
Bercilak symbolizes the enduring power of nature confronting human civilization and the necessary integration of wildness with courtly order. His green coloration represents fertility, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life and death—themes central to his survival after being beheaded. As the Green Knight, he embodies the challenge that tests and ultimately strengthens chivalric values, representing how external threats can reveal inner character. The character serves as a bridge between the ancient, magical world of Celtic mythology and the Christian chivalric ideals of Arthur's court. His dual identity as both supernatural challenger and gracious host symbolizes the complexity of moral testing—how true virtue is revealed through subtle temptations rather than obvious dangers. Bercilak ultimately represents the wisdom that comes from understanding human limitations while striving for ideal behavior.