sacred chant
Religious sung prayer
A sacred chant is a rhythmic, repeated vocalization used in religious or spiritual practice.
Unlike casual singing, sacred chants follow prescribed patterns—whether Gregorian plainchant in Catholic tradition, Hindu mantras, Buddhist sutras, or Indigenous ceremonial songs.
The repetition and communal nature of chanting often induces meditative states or heightened spiritual awareness.
The monks began their sacred chant at dawn.
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
- plainchantUnaccompanied liturgical melody
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- religious riteCeremonial act of worship
- prayerAddress to deity
om · meditation · spiritual practice · purification · melody · healing · psalmody · hymn singing · intonation · ritual · call and response · mantra · rhythm · antiphon · chanting · ceremony · oral transmission · monotone
- magic wordsabracadabra, alakazam, hocus pocus, presto, open sesame
- Chantsplainsong, litany, Kyrie, Gloria, Magnificat
- invocationssummoning, calling, call, calling upon, conjuration
- pilgrimage ritescircumambulation, prostration, ritual bathing, ritual washing, kora
- ritualrite, invocation, incantation, litany, supplication
- sacred artsicon painting, religious sculpture, religious painting, religious poetry, religious drama
sacred chantdrinking song
Music for toasting together
pop song · work song · commercial jingle · sea shanty · street music