A kōan is a type of text or utterance in Zen Buddhism.
Koan may also refer to:
Japan Kōan (Kamakura period), a Japanese era (1278-1288) Kōan (Muromachi period), a Japanese era (1361-1362) Emperor Kōan, the 6th emperor of Japan Kōan (公安), an abbreviation for any of the following public security agencies: Public Security Intelligence Agency Public Security Examination Commission, part of the Ministry of Justice National Public Safety Commission (Japan)
Music Koan (program), an algorithmic music software package KOAN Sound, a glitch-hop duo Koan, an album by Stephan Micus Koan, a musical composition by James Tenney
Radio and television stations KOAN-LP, a television station in Anchorage, Alaska KOAN (AM), a radio station in Anchorage, Alaska KVNT, a radio station (1020 AM) licensed to serve Eagle River, Alaska, which held the call sign KOAN from 2009 to 2013
Other uses Hacker koan, a humorous anecdote written by hackers about computer science Koan or Coan, demonym of the island Kos Ministry of Public Security (China) White Koan, a modern sculpture at the University of Warwick Koan, a software program that works with Cobbler (software) Kōan, a member of the Black Moon Clan from Sailor Moon R