Calligraphy (Islamic)

Eighteenth century mirror writing in Ottoman calligraphy. The phrase means 'Ali is the vicegregent of God' in both directions.

Islamic calligraphy, also known as Arabic calligraphy, is the art of artistic handwriting, and by extension, of bookmaking.^[1] It is both an art, and a practical way of writing.

Arabic calligraphy may be found on tiles and other ornaments. The text usually comes from the Koran (Qur'an).

[change] Styles

The different styles of Arabic writing mostly derive from early versions of the Koran. There are geometric styles such as Kufic, and cursive (flowing) styles like Naskh, Thuluth and Muhaqqaq.

[change] Gallery

Kufic script in a Qur'an from the 9th-10th centuries
Naskh script in an Egyptian Qur'an from the 14th-15th centuries
Page of a 12th century Qur'an written in the Andalusi script
Example showing Nastaʿlīq's (Persian) proportion rules.^{[ 1 ]}
Inscriptions in calligraphy, form regular bands throughout the Qutb Minar, India, built 1192 CE
Bismillah calligraphy
Bismillah calligraphy
The instruments and work of a student calligrapher.