# Lahn

Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/lahn — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-02)

Lahn (plural alhan) is an Arabic term used in Coptic worship for a recognized melody or melody type assigned to a liturgical text.[^1]

## Definition

**Lahn** (plural **alhan**) is an Arabic term used in Coptic liturgical books and manuscripts to specify the music to which a text is sung. It denotes a recognizable melody or melody type with a particular, often descriptive, name.[^1]

English renderings include “air,” “tone,” “melody,” and “mode,” although these do not fully convey the term’s meaning. It is the Arabic translation of a Coptic term adopted from Greek *echos*; possible affinities with Byzantine *echos* and Arabic *maqam* remain to be elucidated.[^1][^2]

## Liturgical use

Some alhan, designated *sanawiyyah* (“annual”), are sung throughout the year, while others are reserved for a particular occasion. One text may be sung to different alhan, and one lahn may carry different texts. A lahn may also have short (*qasir*), abridged (*mukhtasar*), and long (*tawil*) forms.[^3]

## Examples

Descriptive names include **Lahn al-Farah**, “of joy,” and **Lahn al-Huzn**, “of sorrow.” **Adam** and **Watus**, also called **Batos**, are two leading melody types.[^1][^4]

A particular example is **Lahn Idribi**, performed during the Sixth Hour on Good Friday. Its text is the Psalm versicle preceding the Gospel reading, and it is consequently also called **Mazmur Idribi**, “Psalm Idribi.”[^4]

## Sources
[^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 184)
[^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 77)
[^3]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 78)
[^4]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 78)