Arabic calligraphy

Thread: Arabic calligraphy

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  1. Maviii's Avatar

    Maviii said:

    Default Arabic calligraphy

    Hello everybody ...
    ive opend this thread specially for those whom always
    ask about tattoos/arabic words/ arabic calligraphy in general.

    personally i dont agree with making tattoos ..
    its not healthy nor safety in my opinion as long its just an short term
    tattoo which fades after couple of baths and not long lasting one

    anyway ... as a graphic designer student i must talk about
    arabic calligraphy and show you all some art works i collect from the net,
    i hope you like them and also i hope if anyone have a questions
    about arabic words or tattoos ask it here so we`ll clear up the
    meaning of every word u find or like before u decide to make
    or use those words or tattood ...

    Introduction & History:
    Islamic calligraphy, colloquially known as Arabic calligraphy,
    is the art of artistic handwriting, or calligraphy, and by extension, of bookmaking.

    This art, associated with Islam, has most often employed
    the Arabic script, throughout many languages including Arabic.

    Calligraphy is especially revered among Islamic arts since
    it was the primary means for the preservation of the Qur'an.

    The work of calligraphers was collected and appreciated.
    Consideration of figurative art as idolatrous led to calligraphy
    and abstract figures becoming the main forms of artistic
    expression in Islamic cultures.

    Arabic, Persian and Ottoman Turkish calligraphy is associated
    with geometric Islamic art (the Arabesque) on the walls and
    ceilings of mosques as well as on the page.

    Contemporary artists in the Islamic world draw on the heritage of
    calligraphy to use calligraphic inscriptions or abstractions in their work.
    It is usually very complex, however; it is well known over the world.

    Role in Islamic culture:
    Calligraphy has arguably become the most venerated form of
    Islamic art because it provides a link between the languages
    of the Muslims with the religion of Islam.
    The holy book of Islam, the Qur'an, has played an important role
    in the development and evolution of the Arabic language, and by
    extension, calligraphy in the Arabic alphabet.
    Proverbs and complete passages from the Qur'an are still active sources
    for Islamic calligraphy.
    The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters and 18 different forms of writing.

    The Diwani script :
    الخط الديواني

    is a cursive style of Arabic calligraphy developed during the reign
    of the early Ottoman Turks (16th and early 17th centuries).
    It was invented by Housam Roumi and reached its height of popularity
    under Süleyman I the Magnificent (1520–66).
    As decorative as it was communicative,

    Diwani : was distinguished by the complexity of the line within the letter
    and the close juxtaposition of the letters within the word.
    A variation of the Diwani, the Diwani Al Jali, is characterized by its abundance
    of diacritical and ornamental marks.

    Finally, the most common script for everyday use is Ruq'ah
    (also known as Riq'a).
    Simple and easy to write, its movements are small, without much amplitude.
    It is the one most commonly seen.
    It is considered a step up from Naskh script, which children are taught first.
    In later grades they are introduced to Ruq'ah. خط الرقعة

    In China, a calligraphic form called Sini has been developed.
    This form has evident influences from Chinese calligraphy,
    using a horsehair brush as opposed to the standard reed pen.
    A famous modern calligrapher in this tradition is
    Hajji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang.

    Instruments and media :



    The traditional instrument of the Arabic calligrapher is the qalam, القلم
    a pen made of dried reed or bamboo; the ink is often in color,
    and chosen such that its intensity can vary greatly,
    so that the greater strokes of the compositions can be very dynamic in their effect.

    A variety of media were employed for presenting calligraphy.
    Before the advent of paper, papyrus and parchment were used for writing.
    The advent of paper revolutionized calligraphy.
    While monasteries in Europe treasured a few dozen volumes,
    libraries in the Muslim world regularly contained hundreds
    and even thousands of volumes of books.

    Another medium for calligraphy were coins. Beginning in 692,
    the Islamic caliphate reformed the coinage of the Near East
    by replacing visual depiction by words.
    This was especially true for dinars, or gold coins of high value.
    Generally the coins were inscribed with quotes from the Qur'an.

    By the tenth century, the Persians, who had converted to Islam,
    began weaving inscriptions on to elaborately patterned silks.
    So precious were calligraphic inscribed textile, that Crusaders
    brought them to Europe as prized possessions.
    A notable example is the Shroud of St. Josse, used to wrap
    the bones of St. Josse in the abbey of St. Josse-sur-Mer near
    Caen in northwestern France.

    Mosque calligraphy:
    Islamic Mosque calligraphy is a style of calligraphy that
    can be found in and out of any mosque.
    It is considered to be part of Islamic art, more specifically Arabesque.
    Arabesque is a form of Islamic art known for its repetitive geometric forms
    creating beautiful decorations.
    These geometric shapes often include Arabic calligraphy written
    on walls and ceilings inside and outside of mosques.
    The subject of these writings can be derived from different sources in Islam.
    It can be derived from the written words of Qur'an or from the oral traditions
    relating to the words and deeds of Islamic Prophet Muhammad.


    Commonly used in mosques:
    Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim

    Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
    بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
    is the most common phrase found in mosques.
    It is a beautiful poetic Arabic phrase which offers both
    deep insight and brilliant inspiration.
    It has often been said that the phrase the true essence of the entire Quran,
    as well as the true essence of all religions. Its meaning is pure and spiritual.
    It means: "In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

    Allah & Muhammad
    Allah is Arabic for one god and Muhammad is the last prophet in Islam.
    Both Allah and Muhammad are almost always found inside mosques as a reminder of the religion's main beliefs.

    here is a picture that shows allah word in
    [Edirne eski cami in turkey]



    gallery :
    samples of arabic script & styles ...


    what is written in that script is a sentence that means :
    script is the tongue of the hand

    and here is some random samples ...









    continue ...
     
  2. Maviii's Avatar

    Maviii said:

    Default


    this one is the letter K in arabic ك


    means : freedom الحرية









    and the last one two is a mix between ك & ع



    i`ll back with another art works with arabic calligraphy
    soon ...

    p.s : here is a link that has many calligraphy works on T shirts
    with girl names and listed depending on occasions
    enjoy ...

    http://www.cafepress.com/calligraphize
    Last edited by Maviii; 09-06-2009 at 01:16 AM.
     
  3. Maviii's Avatar

    Maviii said:

    Default

    i have seen somewhere that someone was looking for arabic tattoo
    means peace ..

    i found a t shirt with peace word ..




    and here is LOVE word is many styles ...

     
  4. Maviii's Avatar

    Maviii said:

    Default

    now I talked about arabic calligraphy a little bit
    and wanna talk about henna which is better to use in tattoos




    what is henna ?



    Henna or Hina (حــنــا) is :
    It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa,
    southern Asia, and northern Australasia in semi-arid zones.
    Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, 2–6 m high. It is glabrous,
    multibranched with spine tipped branchlets.
    Leaves are opposite, entire, glabrous, sub-sessile, elliptical,
    and broadly lanceolate (1.5–5.0 cm x 0.5–2 cm), acuminate, having depressed veins
    on the dorsal surface. During the onset of precipitation intervals,
    the plant grows rapidly; putting out new shoots, then growth slows.
    The leaves gradually yellow and fall during prolonged dry or cool intervals.
    Henna flowers have four sepals and a 2 mm calyx tube with 3 mm spread lobes.

    Petals are obvate, white or red stamens inserted in pairs on the rim of the calyx tube. Ovary is four celled, style up to 5 mm long and erect.
    Fruits are small, brownish capsules, 4–8 mm in diameter,
    with 32–49 seeds per fruit, and open irregularly into four splits.
    Lawsone content in leaves is negatively associated with the number of seeds in the fruits.

    to read more click here ...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna

    here is some samples for henna body arts & patterns ...









    visit this link for more pics and designs with henna .
    http://www.hennapage.com/

    p.s : henna has many uses beside tattoos
    it used for beauty ..body arts at first step &
    for medical needs
    and also to dye hair
    and henna has different colors
    and its famous in arab countries also india ..china and many more.
     
  5. kiwi9490 said:

    Default translation please?

    http://hubpages.com/u/3916119.jpg Tattoo
    http://hubpages.com/u/3916116.jpg Front (English)
    http://hubpages.com/u/3916118.jpg Back
    http://hubpages.com/u/3916117.jpg Back
    Hey, could someone tell me if this really means what I think it does? My name is Keitra. I apologize ahead of time for this being so long but I felt that you should have the background to the question. My father has been in the Air Force for over 20 years and after 9/11, he was sent to Qatar (an Arab country). After being there for months, he was finally able to return home. When he came, he came with gifts from the Middle East for many family members. My mother, one aunt, and I were given a cartouche with our name in English on one side and in Arabic (supposedly) on the other. In 2009, I got my first tattoo (butterfly in memory of aunt) and in 2010, I got a cherry blossom and my name in Arabic added to it. I would like to know if this is really my name in Arabic. In hindsight, I probably should have asked this before I got something so permanent. Nevertheless, I feel that I would have gotten it anyway. I didn’t get it just because I thought it meant my name (though it did have a lot of influence lol). I have been wearing this necklace since he brought it home.
     
  6. The Emir said:

    Default Calligraphy

    Quote Originally Posted by kiwi9490 View Post
    http://hubpages.com/u/3916119.jpg Tattoo
    http://hubpages.com/u/3916116.jpg Front (English)
    http://hubpages.com/u/3916118.jpg Back
    http://hubpages.com/u/3916117.jpg Back
    Hey, could someone tell me if this really means what I think it does? My name is Keitra. I apologize ahead of time for this being so long but I felt that you should have the background to the question. My father has been in the Air Force for over 20 years and after 9/11, he was sent to Qatar (an Arab country). After being there for months, he was finally able to return home. When he came, he came with gifts from the Middle East for many family members. My mother, one aunt, and I were given a cartouche with our name in English on one side and in Arabic (supposedly) on the other. In 2009, I got my first tattoo (butterfly in memory of aunt) and in 2010, I got a cherry blossom and my name in Arabic added to it. I would like to know if this is really my name in Arabic. In hindsight, I probably should have asked this before I got something so permanent. Nevertheless, I feel that I would have gotten it anyway. I didn’t get it just because I thought it meant my name (though it did have a lot of influence lol). I have been wearing this necklace since he brought it home.
    Well, YES it is actually your name, but laid in an unorthodox separate manner (as opposed to the regular form, which has letters bound to each other), in order to fit it vertically to the shape of the cartouche (Crosswords are actually written like this).

    So basically, you get this: ك ي ت ر ا

    instead of this: كيترا

    Now if you are in the process of worrying right now, do not. It is still legible.


    PS: The entire World knows Qatar is an Arab country.
     
  7. martiala said:

    Question Kufic Calligraphy Translation

    Hi there,

    A few years ago i was reading about the saying "Inshallah". I enjoy its meaning and find its written form beautiful. Searching for images of Inshallah written in calligraphy, i came across this image that was labeled "inshallah". I have kept the image and still enjoy it very much, but some one i met has said that it does not mean inshallah. They could not interpret it clearly, but said they could find the words: "Govern" "Base" "Justice" or "Control" and that it likely said "a just king has control". They seemed to be unsure; so i am asking here.

    I am very curious to find out what it actually says, and am hoping some one on this forum can interpret/ translate/ or point me in the right direction of where i will be able to find some one who can help me.

    I am very grateful for any help!

    martiala
    Attached Images
     
  8. The Emir said:

    Default العدل أساس الملك

    It's far from being anything like inşa'allah...

    "العدل أساس الملك" is a famous saying in arabic, meaning justice is the base of sovereignty / governance.

    Artistically speaking, it's not that nicely done by the way.

    Anyways, I hope the reply got you satisfied, please do not hesitate to ask if there's any other thing we could help you with.

    Cheers,

    Emir
     
  9. john_taylor91 said:

    Default

    Hi I came across these amazing works and I was wondering if you can tell me what each piece means. Thank you!

    The link is http://www.oamahou.com/2011/10/04/li...julien-breton/
     
  10. The Emir said:

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by john_taylor91 View Post
    Hi I came across these amazing works and I was wondering if you can tell me what each piece means. Thank you!

    The link is http://www.oamahou.com/2011/10/04/li...julien-breton/
    Hey...

    These shapes just "look" like writings, but they are only shapes inspired from Arabic Calligraphy.

    We actually see what you see.
     
  11. Maviii's Avatar

    Maviii said:

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by john_taylor91 View Post
    Hi I came across these amazing works and I was wondering if you can tell me what each piece means. Thank you!

    The link is http://www.oamahou.com/2011/10/04/li...julien-breton/
    yes exactly as emir mentioned - its only strokes & lines inspired from the Arabic calligraphy
    no less no more
     
  12. john_taylor91 said:

    Default

    Oh ok. Thank you guys (or girls lol). I really appreciate it!!
     
  13. aila's Avatar

    aila said:

    Default

    "الخط مخفى فى تعليم الأستاذ وقوامه فى كثرة المشق"

    How about if it appeared in the block like this one?

     
  14. aila's Avatar

    aila said:

    Default

    It also had borrowed by another languages...

    Persian calligraphy :




    ***************************************

    Osmanli calligraphy :




    ***************************************

    Urdu calligraphy :




    ***************************************

    Malay's Jawi calligraphy :



    -->Translation: Come joining to become one of Volunteer Force's member.

    Ask it from which of any our offices near you.
    134, Ampang Road, Kuala Lumpur. Tel no: 3473