hymn
Sign in to savethumb|'s Man Singing Hymn (1884) A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word hymn derives from Greek (hymnos), which means "a song of praise". A writer of hymns is known as a hymnist. The singing or composition of hymns is called hymnody. Collections of hymns are known as hymnals or hymn books. Hymns may or may not include instrumental accompaniment. Polyhymnia is the Greek goddess of hymns.
AI overview
A hymn is a song specifically written for religious devotion, prayer, or praise, typically addressed to a deity or revered figure. Hymns have been important enough throughout history to develop their own specialized vocabulary—including hymnists (composers), hymnody (the practice of singing or writing them), and hymnals (collections)—reflecting their central role in spiritual and religious traditions.
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Article
29 sectionsContents
- Origins
- Christian hymnody
- Origins
- Traditions
- Definition
- Special occasions
- Terminology
- Music and accompaniment
- Western church
- Eastern church
- Development of Christian hymnody
- American developments
- Black America's hymns
- Hymn meters
- Hindu hymnody
- Sikh hymnody
- In other religions
- Buddhism
- Confucianism
- Islam
- Jainism
- Judaism
- Shinto
- Zoroastrianism
- Appreciations
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|'s Man Singing Hymn (1884) A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word hymn derives from Greek (hymnos), which means "a song of praise". A writer of hymns is known as a hymnist. The singing or composition of hymns is called hymnody. Collections of hymns are known as hymnals or hymn books. Hymns may or may not include instrumental accompaniment. Polyhymnia is the Greek goddess of hymns.
Although most familiar to speakers of English in the context of Christianity, hymns are also a fixture of other world religions, especially on the Indian subcontinent (stotras). Hymns also survive from antiquity, especially from Egyptian and Greek cultures. Some of the oldest surviving examples of notated music are hymns with Greek texts.