# Fanous
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{{Short description|Traditional lantern widely associated with Ramadan}}
[[File:Lanterns from below.JPG|thumb|upright|Traditional [Egypt](/source/Egypt)ian fanous lanterns in [Cairo](/source/Cairo), [Egypt](/source/Egypt), celebrating Ramadan]]
'''Fanous''' or '''Fanoos''' ({{langx|ar|فانوس}} {{IPA|arz|fæˈnuːs|IPA}}, ''pl.'' {{lang|ar|فوانيس}} {{IPA|ar|fæwæˈniːs|}}), also widely known as '''Fanous Ramadan''' ({{langx|ar|فانوس رمضان}}),[[http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2009/961/special.htm Fanous]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828014902/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2009/961/special.htm |date=2009-08-28 }}; 2009 article; [Al-Ahram Weekly Online](/source/Al-Ahram_Weekly_Online)] is an [Egyptian folk](/source/Culture_of_Egypt) and traditional lantern used to decorate streets and homes in the month of [Ramadan](/source/Ramadan). With their origins in Egypt, they have since spread across the Muslim world and are a common symbol associated with the holy month.[{{cite news |title=فانوس رمضان.. قصة بدأت فى "المحروسة".. استقبل به المصريون الخليفة المعز لدين الله الفاطمى.. وارتبط بالشهر الكريم.. واشتهرت صناعته من النحاس المنقوش وصولا للنسخ المقلدة والصناعة الصينى |url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2014/6/10/%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B3-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A3%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9/1716997 |publisher=[Youm7](/source/Youm7)}}][{{Cite web |date=2022-04-01 |title=The history of the fanous, Cairo's traditional Ramadan lantern |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/egypt/2022/04/01/the-history-of-the-fanous-cairos-traditional-ramadan-lantern/ |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=The National |language=en}}]
==Etymology==
The word "Fanous" (also spelled ''Fanos'', ''Phanous'' and ''Fanoos'') is a term originating from Greek φανός, ''phanós''. It means 'light' or 'lantern'. It was historically used in its meaning of "the light of the world," and is a symbol of hope, as in "light in the darkness".
==History==
[[File:Terracotta lantern MET DP121868.jpg|thumb|right|Egyptian Lamp enclosed in shrine. 2nd century A.D., [Middle Egypt](/source/Middle_Egypt)]]
thumb|right|250px|Old Fanous Ramadan from Egypt
The traditional use of fanous as decorations associated with Ramadan comes from Medieval Egypt,[{{citation|url=https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2019/05/08/the-story-behind-ramadan-lantern/|date=8 May 2018 |title=The story behind Ramadan Lantern|website=DNE|access-date=23 March 2023}}] as it is said that the Egyptian people came out in masses holding lanterns to welcome the [Fatimid](/source/Fatimid) Caliph [Al-Muizz](/source/Al-Muizz_Lideenillah)'s arrival in [Cairo](/source/Cairo) during the holy month of [Ramadan](/source/Ramadan), as it was ancient tradition in Egypt to celebrate by lighting the streets with fanous lanterns. Its use has now spread to many [Muslim](/source/Muslim) countries.[{{Cite web |title=Folk: The Ramadan lantern - Street Smart - Folk |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/76367.aspx |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=Ahram Online}}][{{cite book |last=Wakeel |first=Fathima |chapter=Celebrating Ramadan During COVID |date=2023 |title=Navigating Academia During COVID-19 |pages=21–26 |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-35613-1_4 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |isbn=978-3-031-35612-4}}]
thumb|250px|right|Fanous
thumb|upright|Fanous
In Ancient times it was similar to a lamp, and would have incorporated either candles or oil. The fanous was originally developed from the torches used in Pharaonic festivals celebrating the rising of the star [Sirius](/source/Sirius). For five days, the [Ancient Egyptians](/source/Ancient_Egyptians) celebrated the birthdays of [Osiris](/source/Osiris), [Horus](/source/Horus), [Isis](/source/Isis), [Seth](/source/Set_(deity)) and [Nephtys](/source/Nephthys)—one on each day—by lighting the streets with the fanous (torches).