Islamic calligraphy
Quranic decorative writing
Islamic calligraphy is the art of decorative handwriting in Arabic script, developed as a primary form of artistic expression in Islamic cultures.
Because Islamic tradition discouraged figurative imagery, calligraphy became central to religious and secular art—adorning mosques, manuscripts, ceramics, and textiles.
The flowing scripts range from angular Kufic to cursive Naskh and ornate Thuluth: The mosque walls featured intricate Islamic calligraphy of Quranic verses.
Original text before publication
- OttomanMember of Turkish dynasty
- PersianOf or from Iran
- MughalIndian Islamic imperial dynasty
- AndalusianOf southern Spain
preservation · tradition · master · apprentice · inscription · epigraphy · archive · codex
Flat surface-covering piece
- ceramicFired clay material
- stoneSolid earth fragment
- marbleRecrystallized limestone rock
- woodTree-derived building material
metal · glass · textile · paper · parchment · vellum · stucco · plaster
Flowing ornamental design
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- interlaceWeave elements together
- medallionLarge decorative disk pendant
- borderOuter edge or limit
gilding · illumination · filigree · scrollwork · vegetal · floral · tessellation · rosette
Islam's central scripture
- bismillah"In God's name"
- mosqueIslamic house of worship
- minaretMosque tower with balcony
- suraQuranic textual division
Allah · prophet · Mecca · Medina · masjid · prayer rug · dome · ablution
Cut hollow stem for writing
- inkwellContainer for dipping pens
- bamboo penWriting tool from tropical grass
- letterformA character's visual structure
- ligatureCord for binding
diacritics · dot · stroke · baseline · composition
manuscript
Original text before publication
Andalusian · preservation · tradition · master · apprentice · inscription · epigraphy · archive · codex · folio
tile
Flat surface-covering piece
wood · metal · glass · textile · paper · parchment · vellum · stucco · plaster · brass
arabesque
Flowing ornamental design
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- interlaceWeave elements together
- medallionLarge decorative disk pendant
border · gilding · illumination · filigree · scrollwork · vegetal · floral · tessellation · rosette · cartouche
Quran
Islam's central scripture
sura · Allah · prophet · Mecca · Medina · masjid · prayer rug · dome · ablution · devotion
reed pen
Cut hollow stem for writing
- inkwellContainer for dipping pens
- bamboo penWriting tool from tropical grass
- letterformA character's visual structure
ligature · diacritics · dot · stroke · baseline · composition
Islamic calligraphyChinese calligraphy
Artistic writing with brush
Japanese calligraphy · Gothic script · Gothic lettering · uncial script
Islamic calligraphyfigurative art
Art depicting recognizable subjects
religious iconography · portrait painting · graven images · idolatry
Islam, calligraphy, Islamic, calligrapher, calligraphic, calligram, calligraphers, Arabic calligraphy