In the Book of Genesis, Canaan is the grandson of Noah who is cursed after the Ark story.
Genesis 9 describes Noah becoming drunk and lying uncovered in his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, sees his father’s nakedness and tells his brothers. Shem and Japheth cover Noah while avoiding looking at him. After Noah awakens, he curses Canaan and blesses Shem and Japheth; the text does not record Noah cursing Ham by name.
This passage is often called the “Curse of Ham,” but that title can create a major biblical mix-up. Genesis 9:25 specifically says, “Cursed be Canaan,” making Canaan the named recipient in the narrative. Canaan is also the ancestor figure associated with the Canaanites in later biblical genealogies.
Over many centuries, the passage was misused to justify racial slavery and hierarchy. Modern readers and scholars distinguish the ancient genealogy and curse story from those later racist interpretations, which the text itself does not support.