Kánon

Kánon is a Hungarian term for "canon" used in several disciplines. It derives from the Greek kanón (a rod, rule, standard) via Latin canōn and later into Hungarian with the meaning of a rule, standard, or list of approved items. The word is used to describe both formal rules and collections of works deemed authoritative, representative, or official within a tradition.

In religion, kánon denotes the set of scriptures recognized as divinely inspired and authoritative by a religious community. Different traditions identify different canons; for example, Christian canons vary between Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox groups. The concept also extends to canonical law—the rules governing church governance and practice.

In literature and culture, the kánon refers to the corpus of works considered essential or representative for a culture or period. Canonicity is often contested, reflecting shifts in taste, scholarly reevaluation, and social power relations. The term can be used to discuss national or regional canons and the process by which works gain or lose canonical status.

In music, a kánon (canon) is a contrapuntal technique where a melody is imitated by one or more voices starting at a specified distance after the first voice. The form includes rounds and imitative textures; famous examples include Pachelbel's Canon. In broader use, the term also describes a core repertoire in Western music.

In contemporary discourse, kánon is used to distinguish material considered official or canonical from non-canonical material such as fan fiction or alternate continuities. The distinction can be explicit in media franchises, literature, film, and game culture.