Canon vs. Fanon: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sumera Saeed || Updated on November 9, 2023
Canon is official content in a fictional work, while fanon is fan-created content or theories not officially recognized.
Key Differences
Canon refers to the official elements and storyline as recognized by the original creators of a fictional universe. Conversely, fanon is created by fans and consists of elements that are widely accepted among fans but not officially sanctioned.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
In canon, characters and plots follow the creator's original intent and are typically found in the source material. Fanon, however, can include popular beliefs or character backstories that, while not official, are recognized within fan communities.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Canon is authoritative and is used to maintain consistency within the narrative of a fictional work. Fanon may be embraced by the community for its creativity or to fill in narrative gaps, but it holds no official status.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
When discussing literary analysis, canon often pertains to the body of work considered genuine by scholars, whereas fanon is not used in such academic contexts but rather in informal fan discussions.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Canon ensures stability and a unified framework for a story's setting, characters, and events, while fanon can vary widely and be subjective, reflecting individual or communal interpretations of the material.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Recognition
Accepted by all fans as authentic
Accepted by some, not officially recognized
Harlon Moss
Nov 09, 2023
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Canon and Fanon Definitions
Canon
A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.
The novel became part of the literary canon of the 20th century.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Fanon
Elements created by fans to explain ambiguities or to add depth to the official narrative.
The fanon version of events filled in the gaps left by the last movie.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
Canon
The established set of principles or code of laws, often religious in nature.
The priest adhered strictly to the canon law.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
Fanon
Unofficial expansions or interpretations of a fictional universe.
The fanon backstory for the villain was adopted by many in the community.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Canon
An authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture.
The books of the Bible are part of the religious canon.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
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Fanon
Fan-created content or theories not officially recognized by the creators.
The idea that those two characters are siblings is pure fanon.
Huma Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Canon
A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine.
The canon of Shakespeare's work includes 37 plays.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
Fanon
A belief or set of beliefs widely accepted among fans but not found in the source material.
It's fanon that the character always wears red to symbolize passion.
Sara Rehman
Nov 09, 2023
Canon
The works of a particular author or artist that are recognized as genuine.
The curator discussed the canon of Picasso's blue period.
Huma Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Fanon
Fan fiction that becomes so popular it is often mistaken for canon.
That relationship was never in the books; it's strictly fanon.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
Fanon
A vestment reserved only for the Pope for use during a pontifical Mass.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Fanon
Part of a bishop's mitre. They are the tabs extending down from the mitre, often with a cross near the end of each. See lappet.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Fanon
(fandom) Elements introduced by fans which are not in the official canon of a fictional world but are widely believed to be or treated as if canonical.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field
"the durable canon of American short fiction" (William Styron).
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic
The entire Shakespeare canon.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
Material considered to be officially part of a fictional universe or considered to fit within the history established by a fictional universe
"The Harry Potter series was one of the first pieces of media to inspire widespread fan fiction writing, probably because its popularity coincided with the early days of the Internet, but its creator has also shown herself more than willing to keep updating the canon" (Emma Cueto).
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
Canon The part of the Mass beginning after the Preface and Sanctus and ending just before the Lord's Prayer.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
(Music) A composition or passage in which a melody is imitated by one or more voices at fixed intervals of pitch and time.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A member of a chapter of priests serving in a cathedral or collegiate church.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A member of certain religious communities living under a common rule and bound by vows.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A generally accepted principle; a rule.
The trial must proceed according to the canons of law.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A formally codified set of criteria deemed mandatory for a particular artistic style of figurative art.
The Canon of Polykleitos
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic.
The entire Shakespearean canon
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A religious law or body of law decreed by the church.
We must proceed according to canon law.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A piece of music in which the same melody is played by different voices, but beginning at different times; a round.
Pachelbel’s Canon has become very popular.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
(Roman law) A rent or stipend payable at some regular time, generally annual, e.g., canon frumentarius
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
Those sources, especially including literary works, which are considered part of the main continuity regarding a given fictional universe.
A spin-off book series revealed the aliens to be originally from Earth, but it's not canon.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
(cookery) A rolled and filleted loin of meat; also called a cannon.
A canon of beef or lamb
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A large size of type formerly used for printing the church canons, standardized as 48-point.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
The part of a bell by which it is suspended; the ear or shank of a bell.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A canon regular, a member of any of several Roman Catholic religious orders.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A law or rule.
Or that the Everlasting had not fixedHis canon 'gainst self-slaughter.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A law, or rule of doctrine or discipline, enacted by a council and confirmed by the pope or the sovereign; a decision, regulation, code, or constitution made by ecclesiastical authority.
Various canons which were made in councils held in the second centry.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A member of a cathedral chapter; a person who possesses a prebend in a cathedral or collegiate church.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A musical composition in which the voices begin one after another, at regular intervals, successively taking up the same subject. It either winds up with a coda (tailpiece), or, as each voice finishes, commences anew, thus forming a perpetual fugue or round. It is the strictest form of imitation. See Imitation.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
The largest size of type having a specific name; - so called from having been used for printing the canons of the church.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
The part of a bell by which it is suspended; - called also ear and shank.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A deep gorge, ravine, or gulch, between high and steep banks, worn by water courses.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy;
The neoclassical canon
Canons of polite society
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A complete list of saints that have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
Canon
A collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired
Sumera Saeed
Oct 16, 2022
FAQs
Can fanon ever become canon?
Rarely, creators may adopt fan ideas, but typically fanon remains unofficial.
Huma Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
How is fanon shared among fans?
Through fan fiction, forums, social media, and other community platforms.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
What defines canon in fiction?
Canon is content officially accepted as part of the story by its creators.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Does canon only apply to literary works?
No, it applies to all media with a narrative, including movies and games.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Are retcons considered canon?
If they are made by the original creators, retcons become part of the canon.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Can there be multiple canons?
Some franchises have different canons, like comics vs. movies.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
Is all fan fiction considered fanon?
Yes, as it is not part of the official narrative or content.
Harlon Moss
Nov 09, 2023
Is canon more important than fanon?
Canon is authoritative for the official narrative; fanon is important for fan culture.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Are headcanons and fanon the same?
Headcanon is personal to an individual, while fanon is more widely accepted.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
Do all fans agree on what is considered fanon?
No, fanon can be subjective and varied.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
How does canon affect fan works?
It provides the framework within which fan works are created.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Do creators acknowledge fanon?
Some creators are aware of fanon but do not officially recognize it.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Why is canon important to a fandom?
It ensures a consistent and stable foundation for the universe.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
Can fanon influence the direction of a series?
Indirectly, by showing creators what interests the fanbase.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
Is there a canon in open-world games?
Yes, even open-world games have a core story that is considered canon.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
How does one determine what is canon?
Through official statements, publications, or direct content from the creators.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 09, 2023
Does fanon exist in non-fiction?
No, fanon is a concept specific to fictional narratives.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
Does fanon have to be widely accepted to be considered fanon?
It is often widely accepted, but not always.
Janet White
Nov 09, 2023
Can canon change over time?
Yes, creators can add to or alter the canon with new content.
Harlon Moss
Nov 09, 2023
Can fanon be contradictory?
Yes, different fans may create contradictory fanon.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 09, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
