The traditional Egyptian lantern used during Ramadan is called a fanoos, also spelled fanous or fanous Ramadan.
The fanoos became strongly associated with Ramadan in Egypt and is now displayed in streets, homes, shops, restaurants, and public spaces across much of the Muslim world. Traditional versions often combine decorated metal frames with colored glass, while modern versions may use plastic, electric bulbs, or musical features.
One popular historical story connects the custom with Fatimid Cairo. According to the tradition, Egyptians carried lanterns to welcome the Fatimid caliph al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah when he arrived in Cairo during Ramadan. Historians and popular accounts differ on how literally that story should be taken, but the lantern’s Egyptian Ramadan identity is firmly established.
The word is related to Greek phanos, meaning “light” or “lantern.” A fanoos is not simply any lamp: “lamp” describes a broad lighting object, while fanoos refers specifically to this culturally recognizable Ramadan lantern tradition.