About Calligraphy

The Islamic Art of Calligraphy

2010-08-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

The premier form of Islamic Art is calligraphy, which is derived from the French word calligraphie and Greek word kalligraphia, meaning "beautiful handwriting." One of the main reasons that the calligraphy is given a pedestal status in Islam is the Muslim belief that Allah (SWT) used the Arabic language to narrate his divine message to the Prophet Muhammad in the form of Holy Quran. This makes it sacred for Muslims all over the world.

Secondly, Islamic Art cannot be depicted by the use of pictures; therefore, using words as creativity avoids this problem as well. With the invention of the printing press in European countries, the art of calligraphic writing mostly vanished.

The prohibition of picture images spurred Calligraphy in the Muslim world to new heights. It is used to enhance the aesthetic senses in architecture, decorative arts, coins, jewelry, textiles, weapons, tools, paintings, and manuscripts. Thus Calligraphy has been embedded in each and every aspect of the Islamic society.

Calligraphy - The Beautiful Art

2010-08-10T02:42:00.000-07:00

The art of making beautiful and elegant handwriting is called Calligraphy which requires skilled penmanship.

The literal meaning of the word calligraphy is beautiful writing. Books were written in calligraphy up until the invention of printing machines. Using quill and ink the handwriting was written onto materials like parchment or vellum. There are three main styles of calligraphy which are prevailing now. Arabic, Chinese – known as oriental style and Western or Roman are most popular modern calligraphy styles.

The range of calligraphy includes simple hand lettering to fine art pieces where the expression of the handwritten mark may take precedence over the legibility of the letters. Typography should not be confused with calligraphy.

Calligraphy Fonts

2010-08-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

Calligraphy fonts have undergone a colorful evolution throughout the centuries. Their development has been shaped by history itself.

Early writing was done on wood or stone, thus the fonts were angular. As man became more sophisticated and developed cities, the fonts also changed to have softer edges to adjust to the papyrus being used. When Rome fell, academic centers were concentrated in Western Europe. Afterwards, the Dark Ages settled in; art and creativity seemed to have died, so did developments of calligraphy fonts. After the Dark Ages, with the rise of the Roman Catholic Church to power, the formal and elaborate font styles emerged. This font features the architectural designs of the Middle Ages. These fonts are known as "Gothic." Until printing mechanism disrupted handcrafting of prints, Gothic was the popular choice for fonts. When literacy was brought down to the level of common townsfolk, the demand for less complex fonts increased. This plea for practicality gave birth to informal Gothic variants used in manually printed publications and documents.

As printing became more readily available, hand-lettering was designated to artists. The rest of the population wrote in cursives for their regular correspondences. Elaborate calligraphy, however, was still used for its decorative purpose in several formal documents--maps and invitations, for example. The complex calligraphy carried with it a sense of elegance and formality suited for high-level affairs and audiences.

Samples of the different calligraphy fonts are now housed in museums. But software programmers have found a way to copy those font styles. So if you are feeling a little fancy, or when you are looking for an element that would bring a touch of elegance into your formal invitation or correspondence, you may want to check out the suppliers of these software programs. You are bound to find just the right one for your needs.

Japanese Calligraphy

2010-08-03T05:29:00.000-07:00

The ancient art of Japanese calligraphy is captured today in numerous pieces of artwork. Some are used as home or office decor; others are becoming popular gift items. Others are even used as tattoo images.

"Shodo," a Japanese term for calligraphy that means the way of writing is taught to children at very young ages in schools. Adults practice it as a hobby. Getting started on learning the art of Japanese calligraphy may require you to complete a set consisting of six elements. One is a black, soft mat that provides a comfortable, soft surface where you will sit. It is called a Shitajiki. The next is a Bunchin, a metal stick used as weight for the paper during writing. Another is the Hanshi, or a special, thin calligraphy paper. Of course, you will need a brush or what they call the Fude.

There are two kinds of Fude. There is the large brush to write main characters with and a smaller one to write the artist's name; although sometimes artists use the smaller ones to draw the characters, too. The next element is the Suzuri, a heavy black crucible holding the ink. The last one is the Sumi or a solid black material that when rubbed in water produces the black ink used for writing. This is for the more traditional calligraphers. For the rest, commercially available ink will serve the same purpose.

Japanese characters are drawn using one of the three styles: the square style called Kaisho; the semi-cursive Gyosho; and the cursive Sosho. The last two styles are faster to execute than the more traditional Kaisho.

Writing calligraphy is art in itself, and there are many collectors who host exhibits and auctions of Japanese calligraphy art prints. Most feature classic words of wisdom. They are usually framed in wood.

Digital Islamic Calligraphic Models

2010-07-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful penmanship or handwriting. Calligraphy has been popular in western, Arabic and Chinese / oriental domains. Within Islamic culture, Islamic Calligraphy has usually involved the beautiful penmanship of Quranic verses. Muslims from all over the world have produced Islamic artists that have produced quality Islamic calligraphic works.

The following profiles Islamic calligraphic works of Ricardo Panizza who has produced various digital Islamic calligraphic models.

Picture of Islamic Calligraphy Art

2010-07-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

Picture of Islamic Calligraphy Art

Luxury Islamic Calligraphy Wallpaper

2010-07-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Islamic Calligraphy Wallpaper

2010-07-23T23:33:00.000-07:00

Islamic Calligraphy Wallpaper

Islamic Calligraphy Art Design-Animals Calligraphy

2010-07-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

Although in my opinion (the author) animal-shaped Islamic calligraphy is a classic design calligraphy, calligraphy art form but was still interested in animals. Among them there are in the form of tigers, birds, elephants, horses, and fish. Here are examples of calligraphy animals ever published on the internet:

Arabic Calligraphy Picture

2010-07-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

In a previous post someone well spoted that I was playing with "Arabic" numbers, which are in fact Indian numbers (the circle means 5 and the dots are zeros.) It's the Westeners who use Arabic numbers such as: 1,2,3.

I'm fascinated by the look of the Arabic script. It's out of this world. If Spielberg would have invented a writing for a new planet it may have been similar in looks to the Arabic script.

I think Arabic calligraphy is a form of art that has superseeded any other culture in its category. It's highly complex and has many layers of meaning.

I won't to go into details. You start doing that here if you wish. Allow me to just touch upon the subject and show you a few interesting examples.

This style is my personal favorite because I'm an animal lover. It's called zoomorphic calligraphy and some believe it's developed because of the restriction of illustrating living beings according to muslim traditions.

The example below is a highly popular style where carefully layed out miniature text makes up a bigger sentence. Both the small and big text are related and usually verses from the Koran.

The one below showcases an ancient manuscript from Iraq. Note that in those times using black and red inks to write was a must. Later the red dots were replaced with other symbols that need not to be red.

Finally let me show you a modern script that can be found on contemporary buildings. This example below is a piece from a long text that goes all around the House of Koran. Note the geometric simplicity of the script.

Latin font types seriously influence the contemporary Arabic typography. As you can see below sometimes latin fonts are mimiced to create similar looks.

Arabic script and arabesque design is largely ignored outside the Middle East. Unlike many other languages that are used extensively as design elements even in the West, Arabic didn't enter the mainstream culture. Japanese characters are all over girls as tattoos and t-shirts designs for example. Have you seen anybody with an Arab script tattoo?

I think the main reason Arabic calligraphy didn't penetrate the pop culture is because it's very closely associated with religion and the usage of these styles may be a sensitive issue.

Excuse my shallow views, but I think this is unfortunate, because Arabic calligraphy has a beautiful texture, which can be appreciated even if you don't read the text. I fully understand however that for muslims the script means so much more than just pretty design. The Koran and the style of the text is holy and there is no room for reinterpreting these visual elements.

Unique Italic Calligraphy

2010-07-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

Unique Italic Calligraphy

Modern Calligraphy Letterpress Wedding Invitation

2010-06-30T00:45:00.000-07:00

With the Modern Calligraphy letterpress wedding invitation, we had to ask ourselves: is modern calligraphy an oxymoron? Or is it brilliant? Beautiful? Head-turning? Perfect? You can guess which side we're on. Available in five jaw-dropping styles. In addition to letterpress invitations, this design has available reply cards, reply postcards, direction cards, reception cards, letterpress thank you cards, letterpress wedding programs, invitation envelopes, escort cards, place cards, menus, coasters, envelope linings, and anything you can dream up. All our wedding invitations are letterpress printed with love on our antique presses in upstate New York. Here at Bella Figura, we practice environmental printing techniques; we believe in eco-friendly letterpress; and we embrace progressive green business practices. This modern calligraphy wedding invitation can be fully customized to suit whatever styles and colors and moods are in your heart. The Modern Calligraphy design is also perfect for letterpress Bar Mitzvah invitations, Bat Mitzvah invitations, or any sophisticated celebration.

Style of Japanese Calligraphy

2010-06-30T00:43:00.000-07:00

Kaisho
Kaisho literally means “correct writing”. In other words, this is the style in which each of the strokes is made in a deliberate and clear way, creating a form that is very similar to the printed version of the character that one might see in a newspaper.
This is the form that students of calligraphy study first, since it is close to the everyday written characters they are already familiar with, but at the same time it gives them the opportunity to get used to using the brush (fude) correctly.

Below you can see the character for “dream” written in kaisho style on the left, and on the right as written using a word processor. Notice how similar they are in form.
Gyousho
Gyousho literally means “traveling writing” and refers to the semi-cursive style of Japanese calligraphy. Like cursive handwriting in English, this is the style that most people will usually use to write with when taking notes. Furthermore, as with English cursive style, what are written as separate strokes in kaisho style flow together to form a more rounded whole in gyousho. Text written in this style is can usually be read by the majority of educated Japanese.
The same character is written in gyousho below with the printed version for comparison once more. Notice how it is more flowing and artistic.
Sousho
Sousho means “grass writing” and refers to the flowing cursive style of calligraphy. Here, form supersedes readability as the calligraphy artist rarely allows her brush to leave the paper, resulting in a graceful, swooping shapes. Only those trained in shodou are usually able to read this type of script.
Notice how the shape of the character is now almost completely unrecognizable as the same kanji in print on the right. It is now more a stylized work of art than a vehicle for conveying information.

Beauttyful Arabic Calligraphy

2010-06-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

arabic calligraphy

free arabic calligraphy

arab calligraphy

Arabic Calligraphy Islamic

2010-06-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

Arabic Calligraphy Islamic

Some Tools For Making Calligraphy

2010-06-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

This is illuminated manuscript from Arabia

This is a calligraphy pen from Italy.

This is a close-up on a calligraphy pen tip

Quills,(calligraphy pens or ink pens made with a feather), are used for looks, or if you just happen to have a feather. This particular pen has a lead tip, so it isn't a feather by itself

These are fountain pens: calligraphy pens with ink cartridges

Calligraphy isn't just plain words, it is structured, and takes patience and time to write

These are ink wells, the ink for calligraphy pens

Asmaul Husna

2010-06-22T04:09:00.000-07:00

BENEFITS & virtue Asmaul Husna

Allah says, "He had taught Adam all the names" (Al-Baqarah [2]: 31) and "Whose God's name - a beautiful name, and ask Him by the name - the name" (Al - A `heights [ 7]: 180)

Messenger of Allah said, "God has 99 names, a hundred less one; understand whoever will enter Paradise." (Shahiih Bukhaari, Muslim Shahiih). Of course, in understanding not only with words but also with our deeds and behavior.

The virtues and benefits of the Name - Name of God (Asmaul Husna) has been widely felt by many people. Therefore I tried to compile from a few books that discuss the virtues and benefits of the Asmaul Husna. Easy - hopefully benefit us all. Amiin ....

Mid prayer and amalannya syaban

2010-06-22T04:02:00.000-07:00

Bismilahir Rahmanir Rahiim

15 Sha'ban 1430 Nishfu night fell on Wednesday night August 5, 2009, or August 6 Thursday night according to the Javanese calendar calculations.

Practice-Practice in the night of Sha'ban Nishfu, among others, as follows:
First: Bathroom ghurub sunnah when the sun (the sun sinks). The benefit is that our sins be lightened by God Almighty.
Second: Turn on tonight with shalawat, prayers and seek forgiveness.
Third: Pilgrimage or read a prayer pilgrimage to the Holy Prophet's grandson Imam Hussein. This pilgrimage is the most important deeds on the night of Sha'ban Nishfu, and the cause of sins forgiven.
In a Hadith is mentioned:
"Whoever wants to shake hands with the souls of the Prophets, they should make pilgrimage to Al-Hussein (sa) tonight. Pilgrimage is the shortest way to say hello to him, namely:
اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يا اَبا عَبْدِ اللهِ، السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ

Assalâmu'alaika O Aba 'Abdillah, assalâmu'aika wa wa rahmatullâhi barakaatuhu.

Hail thee, O Aba Abdillah, may mercy and blessings of Allah tercurahkan you.

Fourth: Reading shalawat read every sun slips.
Fifth: Read a prayer Kumail.

Sixth: Reading the following remembrance, each (100 times), so that God forgives the sins of the past and allow urination, urination world and the Hereafter:

Subhanallah
Alhamdulillah
Lailâha illallah
Allahu Akbar

Seventh: To pray two cycles after the `Isha '. Fitr first read the letter and surat Al-Fatihah Kafirun (once), two cycles of reading surah Al-Fatihah and Ikhlash (once). Then, after greeting read the following remembrance of each (33 times):

Subhanallah
Alhamdulillah
Allahu Akbar
Then read the prayer of the fourth, look at the evening prayers in Ramadhan Nishfu.
Then fell down while reading the following remembrance:
Rabbi (20 times)
O God (7 times)
La hawla He quwwata illallah wa Billah (7 times)
MA syâa Allâh (10 times)
Quwwata illallah La Billah (10 times)

Then read shalawat to the Prophet and his family, and then convey the desired intent, then is filled with the glory of God and His gifts.

Eighth: Reading in the early morning prayer, prayer five, look at the prayers on the night of Sha'ban Nishfu.

Ninth: Pray each completed two cycles in the night prayer, prayer Syafa 'and pray witir.

Tenth: Prostration in the mid-night while praying, as was done by the Messenger of Allah, namely:
Sawâdî wa laka Sajada fictional, Amana wa bika Fuadi, wa ma hâdzihi yadâya janaytuhu 'ala nafsî, yes' Azhîmu turjâ likulli 'azhîm, ighfirliyal' azhîm fainnahu He yaghfirudz dzanbal 'azhîm illar rabbul' azhîm.
Thee subject to all the wishes and khalayalanku, with thy heart feel safe. This is second hand and all kezalimanku on me, O Great Lord, You are expected to all the great purposes, so please forgive my sins are great, in fact nobody would be able forgive big sins except God the Almighty.
Bismilahir Rahmanir rahiim
A'ûdzu binûri wajhikal ladzî adhâat lahus samâwâtu wal-aradhûna, wankasyafat lahuzh zhulumâtu, shalaha wa 'alayhi Amrul awwalîna wal-âkhirîn, min-ati fuj niqmatika, wa in tahwîli' âfiyatika, wa min zawâli ni'matika. Allâhummarzuqnî qalban taqiyyan naqiyyâ, minasy syirki bariyyâ wa wa She kâfiran He syaqiyyâ.
I seek refuge with the light of Thy face, which therefore luminous sky and the earth, hence the darkness revealed, and therefore the affairs of the people earlier and later became maslahat, from thy doom coming suddenly, changing your salvation, and loss of favor Mu. O Allah, bestowed to me a pure heart and clean, pure from idolatry, not broken and does not get hurt.
Then pressed his cheek to the prostration while saying:
'Affartu wajhî fit Turabi, an asjuda huqqalî wa laka.

Kulumaskan my face in the place of prostration, and it is proper for me to bow down to you
Messenger of Allah said:
"... O my soul a long breath, do you know tonight? Tonight is the night of Sha'ban nishfu, Rizki distributed therein, in which deaths are recorded. Truly Allah forgives the sins of His servants this evening ..., and he lowered his angels to earth of Mecca. "(Mafatihul Jinan, chapter 1, article 2)
Eleventh: To pray prayer beads. Prayer is the prayer known as the Ath-Thayyar Ja'far.
The Twelve: Perform four cycles of prayer, each rakaat read surah Al-Fatihah and Ikhlash (100 times). After greeting reads:
Cor innî ilayka faqîrun, wa min 'adzâbika khâifun mustajîr. He cor tubaddil Ismi, tughayyir jismî He wa, wa He tajhad hall, He wa tusymitbî a'dâî. A'ûdzu bi'afwika min 'iqâbika, a'ûdzu birahmatika wa min' adzâbika, wa min a'ûdzu biridhâka sakhathika, a'ûdzu bika wa minka. Jalla tsanâuka, Anta Kama atsnayta 'ala ma nafsika wa fawqa yaqûlul qâilûn
Oh God, I need Thee, torment me I said on you, I beg thy protection. O Allah, do not change my name, do not change my physical, do my exam focused, do not be happy with the suffering of my enemies. I seek refuge with Your pardon from Your punishment, I take refuge with Thy mercy from Thy punishment, I seek refuge with Your pleasure from Your wrath, I seek refuge with You from You. Most glorious praises as You praise thy self above thy praise uttered by those who praise.
May Wa yatawakkal 'alallâhi fahuwa hasbuh, innallâha bâlighu amrihi ja'alallâhu likulli syay qad-in qadrâ.
Whoever bertawakkal to God, He is sufficient as a protector, Allah convey his affairs, determine the destiny God has for each thing.
Cor illam takun ghafarta fîmâ Maulana Maulana Madha min Sha'ban faghfir fîmâ baqiya minhu.
O Allah, if thou yet forgive us in the days pass in the month of Ramadhan, so please forgive us in the days of the next Ramadhan.
Thirteenth: In a history it is said that one hundred cycles of prayers at night has many virtues. How: every rakaat read surah Al-Fatihah and Ikhlash (10 times). Or read surah Al-Fatihah and a letter from Yasin, Tabarak letter and surat Al-Ikhlash.
Fourteenth: read the prayers in the night of Sha'ban Nishfu
Nishfu day of Sha'ban (15th Sha'ban) is a glorious feast for the followers of Ahlul Bait of the Prophet, the birth day of age Shahibuz Muntazhar imam Al-Mahdi ('Ajjalallahu farajahu).
(Excerpted from the book Mafâtihul Jinan, chapter 2, article 2).

Images of Beauty Calligraphy

2010-06-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Images of Beauty Calligraphy

Calligraphy Art Carving

2010-06-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

Calligraphy Art Carving
From the Indonesian Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Calligraphy, from the Greek; καλλι "beauty" + γραφος "write") 日本语 Nihongo Japanese Language) is the art of beautiful writing with a pen as a garnish. Posts in the form of calligraphy are usually not to be read with a high concentration for a prolonged period, because of its rapid make eyes tired. Because that's very difficult to find examples of calligraphy as a typographic books today.

Although Arabic calligraphy in the better known writings, but also the implementation of many applications to the Latin text.

Islam in art, writing Arabic calligraphy often made. Usually the content excerpted verses of the Qur'an. A variety of forms, not always a pen on paper, but often also ditatahkan above metal or leather.

One form of implementation of Islamic calligraphy as a decorative art is in the Al Hamra Palace in Spain.

Calligraphy sculpture is a combination of two kinds of art works that shaped ornament. Ornamentation here is a form of beauty meant to fill a particular field, whether in the form of two dimensional or three dimensional. Combination of two types of works of art is a combination of sculpture with the art of calligraphy. Sculpture better known by the stylized form of visualization. Stylized is a way to change and simplify the original form into another form that you want to achieve a certain level of beauty. This beauty can be poured on media.kayu, metal, clay or stone. The technique used is usually in the form of carving techniques, if in the process of manufacture in tatahkan directly on the media. There is also a printing technique that uses a technique to multiply the number of works of art with the media molds (tools / facilities to produce more work than one with similar results). Sculpture beauty of calligraphy is a form of letters which poured / visualized on a particular place (can be from wood, metal or rocks) using techniques commonly used for carving, such as carving techniques. Steps to be taken is to design a form of calligraphy first instance on a timber. Design is the design drawings which will form the basis to follow the contour plot in the carving. After the design drawings can be completed, begin the process of making the carved shapes. The process of engraving on wood media, start using tatah with the use of proper technique. Penatahan on this carving the shape of the initial design, so the end result did not go too far with the themes that have been planned.Blend of calligraphy with this sculpture has a sense that the beauty of the art of writing can be poured on the field which is used for carving. Not just their fields, but the shape and the results of his work can also be categorized into sculpture. Implementation of the carving must be comprehensive, all forms of calligraphy that was created should be included in the criteria for carving. So that people can distinguish awampun calligraphy carved with the picture / painting calligraphy.

Beautiful Calligraphy Verse

2010-05-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Calligraphy Verse

Sultan Mosque Singapore And Masjid Al Sakhrah Qubbah

2010-04-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

Qubbah Masjid As Sakhrah or was known by the Dome of the Rock was built in the years around 690M by Abdul Malik ibn Marwan which is one of the sons of kings in the Umayyad and then followed by the construction of the Aqsa Mosque is completed in 710M. The mosque is also possible first-until now-at the Al Aqsa mosque regarded as. Clarification of this can be viewed on the blog Harry Sufehmi. Some people also think that this building is not a mosque but only a pile of large stones.

Year 1928, so intend the money from UK Trade Kongsi of SGD 3000, Singapore Sultan directly renovating a masjid in Little India area. Among another changes as well by replacing the older dome with a gold dome. This masjid presently became the largest masjid in Singapore, from about 80 of the existing mosque.

Another case in Singapore. No matter how big masjid was shapely here, not even 1-dB sound can adzan chanted. \"Disturbing the peace,\" someone said. Although Muslims have to pray a unequalled reminder adzan, but because the government does not see the essence of \"adzan\" then the sound of adzan prohibited. Since then the Muslim minority in Singapore said nothing. Immovable. Silence is also a choice and they rang the adzan through masjid speakers in the room only: not to become out.

The only (perhaps) are allowed to ring the masjid is the masjid of Sultan adzan around Semite Street. Sultan Mosque is the second oldest masjid in Singapore and it is thoughtful national heritage. Therefore, he gets an exception.

Calligraphy About Dhikr

2010-03-17T00:32:00.000-07:00

Dhikr or wirid after morning prayers was the key of all obedience, while remembering or wirid after Asr prayers are seek forgiveness or apology from that has happened in one day
It is said in the hadiths, Who bertakbir 100x and 100x and bertahlil celebrate 100x then he found good free 10 slaves, which means freeing slaves of God 1 we have a body free of a member from the Fire
There is one at a time said to Satan, "I want to like you", said the devil "left the prayer, do swear a lie with the name of God"Rosullullah SAW said, You know no one among you who can enter heaven with deeds, then a friend asked: "You, too Yes Rosullullah? '' Yes, including I also 'except Allah to bestow mercy and blessings I have.
Rosullullah SAW said, 'Religion is very easy, no one make this religion unless he loses'

Sample Calligraphy Art

2010-03-17T00:26:00.000-07:00

Contains About Art Calligraphy

2010-03-17T00:22:00.000-07:00