• *Calligraphy is an art form that involves writing text in beautiful, creative handwriting. The word calligraphy comes from the Greek words kallos and graphy which mean beauty and writing respectively. Calligraphy is called meot geulssi (멋글씨) in Korean, and khatt (خَط) in Arabic.

Arabic? Arabic text? What is the difference? Islamic calligraphy can be broadly categorized into three types based on language: Arabic, Persian, and Turkish. However, all three are based on the Arabic script and are therefore, generally referred to collectively as Arabic calligraphy. Arabic calligraphy had a profound influence on Islamic culture and arts including those in the Arab speaking world, the Persian cultural sphere which uses a script similar to Arabic, and the Turkish cultural sphere, which historically used Arabic script. Arabic calligraphy was recognized as an intangible cultural asset by UNESCO in 2021 for its global historical significance.

How did calligraphy come to flourish in the Arabic and Islamic world? Depicting the likeness of God is strictly prohibited in Islam, and therefore the people adopted text as a new form of art. As paper spread through the Islamic region, calligraphy made significant advances as a way of recording the scriptures of the Qur’an in a beautiful and edifying way. There are many different styles of Arabic calligraphy including the most commonly known: Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, and Ruqʿah, some of which have been used since the early years of Islam. Arabic script, which is written from right to left, lends itself to infinite variations by changing the harmony between horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines and curves. In addition, the cursive script evokes a sense of rhythm and flow.

Arabic script is a symbol system that both represents and transcends Arabic culture that is spread throughout the Islamic world, fostering unwavering unity centered on religion and enhancing pride. In modern times, we have come to appreciate calligraphy as a genre of art - it can be found in our everyday lives in architecture, furniture, and tableware, which offer us a peek into the lives and artistry of the people.
Let’s dive into the wonderful and captivating world of calligraphy.

Naskh Script

Naskh, meaning “copy,” is one of the earliest forms of cursive script. It is characterized by its simplicity and the alignment of all letters along a baseline. Because of its legibility and elegance, Naksh became the most commonly used script for copying the Quran and is now the standard font for Arabic letters in digital formats.

Thuluth Script

Thuluth, meaning “one-third” in Arabic, can refer to either the letter height being one-third of a line or the 3:1 ratio of straight to curved strokes. Known as the “mother of calligraphy” for its perfected form, Thuluth is widely used to decorate tiles, mosques, and monuments. The phrase “There is no god but Allah” on the Saudi Arabian flag is written in Thuluth script.

Muhaqqaq Script

“Muhaqqaq” means “precise” or “perfect” in Arabic. This script is known for its spacious letter spacing and the elongated form of final letters in words. It is considered one of the most beautiful and challenging scripts to master.

Tawqi Script

“Tawqi,” meaning “to sign” in Arabic, was historically used by caliphs during the Abbasid and Ottoman empires for signing official documents. It is a modified version of the Thuluth script, which has been noted for its increased use of curves.

Ruqah Script

Also known as Riqaa, this script is one of the most widely used in daily Arabic writing, alongside Naskh. It is a simple, cursive style.

ⓒ Mahmoud Vatankhah

Rihani Script

Developed around the 9th century, the Rihani script is distinguished by its dynamic, curved strokes that extend below the baseline, giving it a lively appearance. Its slight slant further differentiates it from other scripts.