Enchantment

Enchantment refers to the practice or state of being influenced by magical powers. It commonly denotes spells or charms that impart magical properties to objects or beings, as well as the effect of captivating or delighting the senses. The term can also describe a mood of wonder or fascination inspired by beauty, art, or nature.

Etymology traces the word to Old French enchanter and enchante­ment, from Latin incantare “to chant a spell,” from in- “upon” and cantare “to sing.” In folklore and medieval literature, enchantment is a central motif in which characters, places, or items are bewitched, often requiring a counter-spell, true love, or a perilous quest to break the magic.

Across cultures, enchanted objects include weapons, rings, or talismans believed to bestow blessings or curses. Magical practices such as incantations, charms, runes, or ritual acts are described as means to create or remove enchantments.

In contemporary fantasy, enchantments are frequently codified as game mechanics or narrative devices, granting powers to weapons or granting protection, invisibility, or other abilities, and sometimes requiring maintenance or charging.

Beyond myth and fiction, enchantment can describe genuine feelings of awe or the sense that the world is remarkable, a sense sometimes contrasted with disenchantment in modern secular thought.