ritual chant
Repeated ceremonial words
A ritual chant is a repeated phrase or series of sounds performed as part of a ceremony or spiritual practice.
The repetition distinguishes it from ordinary speech or prayer—the rhythmic recurrence itself carries meaning: The monks began their ritual chant at dawn.
Ritual chants appear across religious traditions, from Buddhist mantras to Catholic liturgy to indigenous ceremonies.
- litanyProlonged repetitive account
- mantraRepeated focus phrase
- hymnReligious song of praise
- prayerAddress to deity
- psalmodySacred vocal music practice
invocation · spirit summoning · prayer beads · meditation practice · anthem · oral tradition · intoning · devotional song · vespers · song · monotone · om · liturgy · drumming · summoning · fire ceremony · sacred · repetition
- Chantsplainsong, litany, Kyrie, Gloria, Magnificat
- invocationssummoning, calling, call, calling upon, conjuration
- sacred performancegospel concert, choir concert, oratorio, cantata, passion play
- sacred chantsplainchant, plainsong, antiphons, graduals, Quran recitation