lüüra

Líra is a term used in several languages to denote the lyre, an ancient stringed musical instrument. The lyre typically consists of a sound box made from wood or, in some early forms, a carved shell, two arms, a crossbar, and several strings that are plucked to produce musical tones. It is one of the oldest known chordophones and has a long-standing association with poetry and song in ancient cultures.

Historically, lyres were prominent in the ancient Near East and the Mediterranean, with widespread use in ancient Greece where it was linked to myth and performance. Players used a plectrum to pluck the strings, though some traditions allowed finger style. The instrument influenced the development of later stringed instruments and remained a symbol of musical and artistic culture in classical times.

Beyond the instrument, líra appears as a linguistic variant in some languages and can function as a given name or place name in certain communities. In modern finance, the word lira (without the accent) names several currencies, most famously the Italian lira, used until the adoption of the euro in 2002, and the Turkish lira, which remains in use. Some transliterations or typographic conventions render the word with an accent, líra, though this form is not used in official currency names.

See also: Lira; Lyra.