KuficThe Kufic script (Arabic: الخط الكوفي, romanized: al-khaṭṭ al-kūfī) is a style of Arabic script that gained prominence early on as a preferred script for Quran transcription and architectural decoration, and it has since become a reference and an archetype for a number of other Arabic scripts. It developed from the Arabic alphabet in the city of Kufa, from which its name is derived. Kufic is characterized by angular, letterforms and its horizontal orientation.
ThuluthThuluth (Arabic: ثُلُث, Thuluth or Arabic: خَطُّ الثُّلُثِ, Khaṭṭu th-Thuluthi; Persian: ثلث, Sols; Turkish: Sülüs, from thuluth "one-third") is an Arabic script variety of Islamic calligraphy. The straight angular forms of Kufic were replaced in the new script by curved and lines. In Thuluth, one-third of each letter slopes, from which the name (meaning "a third" in Arabic) comes.
Ibn MuqlaIbn Muqla (Arabic: ابن مقلة) was a polymath, calligrapher, vizier, and poet prominent in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age. Born in 9th century Baghdad, Ibn Muqla systematized Arabic calligraphy through geometric and mathematical principles, revolutionizing the art form and beginning the classical Islamic calligraphic tradition.
MuhaqqaqMuhaqqaq is one of the main six types of calligraphic script in Arabic. The Arabic word muḥaqqaq (محقَّق) means "consummate" or "clear", and originally was used to denote any accomplished piece of calligraphy. Often used to copy maṣāḥif (singular muṣḥaf, i.e. loose sheets of Quran texts), this intricate type of script was considered one of the most beautiful, as well as one of the most difficult to execute well.
Islamic calligraphyIslamic calligraphy is the artistic practice of penmanship and calligraphy, in the languages which use the Arabic alphabet or the alphabets derived from it. It is a highly stylized and structured form of handwriting that follows artistic conventions and is often used for Islamic religious texts, architecture, and decoration. It includes Arabic, Persian, Ottoman, and Urdu calligraphy.Islamic calendarThe (lunar) Hijri calendar (Arabic: ٱلتَّقْوِيم ٱلْهِجْرِيّ, romanized: al-taqwīm al-hijrī), also known in English as the Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to determine the dates of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as the annual fasting and the annual season for the great pilgrimage.
TawqiTawqi‘ (Arabic: التوقيع, romanized: al-tawqī‘) is a calligraphic variety of the Arabic script. It is a modified and smaller version of the thuluth script. Both scripts were developed by Ibn Muqlah. The tawqi‘ script was further refined by Ibn al-Bawwab. It was mostly employed in official state papers and documents in the Ottoman Empire, where the script was known as tevki.
Rayhani scriptReyhan or Rayḥānī (Arabic: ریحان) is one of the six canonical scripts of Perso-Arabic calligraphy. The word Reyhan means basil in Arabic and Persian. Reyhan is considered a finer variant of Muhaqqaq script, likened to flowers and leaves of basil. Rayḥānī was developed during the Abbasid era by Ibn al-Bawwab. Academic studies of Rayhani have included an analytical study of the technical characteristics of Yaqut al-Musta’simi's method.
CalligraphyWriting as a visual artVarious examples of calligraphy in different languages and writing systems throughout historyCalligraphy (from Ancient Greek καλλιγραφία (kalligraphía) 'beautiful writing') is fine handwriting as a visual art. It involves the design and execution of lettering or characters using a pen, ink brush, or other writing instruments.
QuranThe Quran (Arabic: الْقُرْآن, lit. 'the recitation' or 'the lecture'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, and is believed by Muslims to be a revelation directly from God (Allāh). It is organized in 114 chapters (sūrah, pl. suwar) which consist of individual verses (āyah). Aside from its religious significance, it is widely regarded as the finest work in Arabic literature and has significantly influenced the Arabic language.
Thomas van ErpeThomas van Erpe, also known as Thomas Erpenius (September 11, 1584 – November 13, 1624), was a Dutch Orientalist, born in Gorinchem. He was the first European to publish an accurate book of Arabic grammar. BiographyAfter completing his early education in Leiden, he entered the university of that city, and in 1608 took the degree of master of arts. On the advice of Scaliger he studied Oriental languages whilst taking his course of theology.
Reqā'Reqāʿ (Arabic: رِقَاع, romanized: Riqāʿ) is one of the six scripts of Arabic calligraphy used primarily for letters, edicts, or manuscripts. Reqa' was used for private correspondence on small papers or for nonreligious books and texts. Ibn al-Nadim mentioned in Al-Fihrist that the inventor of Reqaʿ was al-Fadl ibn Sahl. This script was one of the most popular scripts in the Ottoman Empire.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.