China / Iran: 'Two Lohans'. Illustration by unknown artist, c. 1480. Luohan, also spelt luhan or Lohan, is the Chinese word for arhat, ascetic and distinguished figures in Buddhism, roughly equivalent to saints. Arhat translates as 'perfected person' or 'one who is worthy', denoting their achievement of nirvana and ascending to a higher state of enlightenment.