harmony

Harmony is the quality of forming a pleasing or coherent whole. The term derives from Latin harmonia and Greek harmoniā, meaning agreement or concord of sounds. In general use, harmony denotes peaceful coexistence, proportion, and compatibility among elements within a system.

In music, harmony refers to the vertical aspect of music: the simultaneous sounding of pitches to support a melody. It encompasses chords, chord progressions, and the relationships among pitches, intervals, and scales. Consonance and dissonance describe how stable or tense combinations sound. Functional harmony, common in Western music from the Baroque era onward, organizes chords around keys to create a sense of progression and resolution. The harmonic series of overtones helps explain why certain intervals sound stable or pleasant, shaping timbre and perceived harmony.

In social and cultural contexts, harmony describes cooperative relations, mutual respect, and balanced interaction among people, groups, or cultures. It involves negotiation, shared norms, and institutions that reduce conflict. The idea of harmony is often contrasted with discord or chaos and can be pursued through policy, education, and inclusive practices.

In design, architecture, and nature, harmony refers to proportional relationships, symmetry, and a consistent style that create unity. Ecological and personal contexts likewise speak of harmony with the environment or within communities, emphasizing sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships.