Fanous

{{Short description|Traditional lantern widely associated with Ramadan}} [[File:Lanterns from below.JPG|thumb|upright|Traditional Egyptian fanous lanterns in Cairo, 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}}),<ref name="Fanous">[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</ref> is an Egyptian folk and traditional lantern used to decorate streets and homes in the month of Ramadan. With their origins in Egypt, they have since spread across the Muslim world and are a common symbol associated with the holy month.<ref name="Youm7">{{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}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref>

==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]] thumb|right|250px|Old Fanous Ramadan from Egypt The traditional use of fanous as decorations associated with Ramadan comes from Medieval Egypt,<ref>{{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}}</ref> as it is said that the Egyptian people came out in masses holding lanterns to welcome the Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz's arrival in Cairo during the holy month of 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 countries.<ref name="Youm7"/><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

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. For five days, the Ancient Egyptians celebrated the birthdays of Osiris, Horus, Isis, Seth and Nephtys—one on each day—by lighting the streets with the fanous (torches).<ref name="Fanous"/> Torches or candles were also used in early Christianity, which is recorded by Egyptian historian Al-Maqrizi (1364–1442), who noted in his book, "Al Mawaiz wa al-'i'tibar bi dhikr al-khitat wa al-'athar", that these torches or candles were used during Christmastime for celebration.<ref name=":0" />

==Use== Fanous is widely used all over the world – especially in Asian regions and the Arab world – not just for specific religious purposes but also as decoration or as a name. They can be found in houses, restaurants, hotels, malls, etc. Often arranged as a grouping of lights varying in design and shape. Metal and glass are mostly used for their construction.

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Types of lamp Category:Ramadan Category:Culture of Egypt Category:Ancient Egypt