What does Canon mean?
Officially part of the story's universe
Detailed Explanation
In fan culture, 'canon' refers to the official, established facts and events that occur within the universe of a fictional work. It is the source material created by the original author or creator. Anything that is 'canon' is considered to be officially true to the story. This is often contrasted with 'fanon' or 'headcanon,' which are fan-created interpretations and theories.
Usage Examples
“It's a popular fan theory, but it's not canon in the books.”
“The director confirmed in an interview that the character's backstory is officially canon.”
“In the Star Wars canon, what happened to that Jedi after the Clone Wars?”
Origin & History
The term 'canon' is borrowed from literature and religious studies, where it refers to a collection of texts or books that are accepted as genuine or authoritative. It was adopted by fan communities to differentiate between the creator's original story and the vast amount of fan-created works that surround it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'headcanon'?
'Headcanon' refers to a fan's personal, non-official interpretation of a fictional universe that is not explicitly stated in the source material but that they choose to believe is true within their own understanding (or 'head').