From Scribbles to Scripts: Tracing the history of Handwriting to Calligraphy
Calligraphy and handwriting, or rather good handwriting are often used interchangeably, but they are actually two distinct forms of writing that serve different purposes. In layman’s terms, calligraphy is a decorative writing style that uses special pens or brushes to create stylized, intricate letterforms with a consistent thickness and flow or simply put, aesthetic works of art. Handwriting, on the other hand, is the act of writing in one’s personal style, which can be messy or neat, large or small, slanted or upright, depending on the individual’s preferences and habits.
The history of handwriting and calligraphy is a fascinating journey that spans more than a few centuries and cultures. Handwriting can be traced back to as early as 40,000 years ago when our prehistoric ancestors used cave walls as canvases for their art. These early forms of communication evolved into the first written languages, which were developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia around 4,000 BCE for record-keeping and inventory purposes.
Calligraphy, on the other hand, has a long and rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations, including China, Egypt, Greece, and India.
In China, calligraphy emerged as a highly revered art form during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). The use of brushes and ink allowed for the creation of intricate and beautiful characters, which were considered a sign of high culture and education.
Meanwhile, in Japan, calligraphy is known as Shodo, which means “the way of writing.” It is considered one of the essential arts in Japanese culture and is taught in schools as a way to cultivate discipline and self-expression. Japanese calligraphy is characterized by its use of brush strokes and the use of traditional Japanese ink and paper.
In the Arabic culture, calligraphy is an essential part of Islamic art with origins dating back to the 7th century. Often used to write passages from the Quran and other Islamic texts, Arabic calligraphy is characterized by its use of flowing, curving lines and intricate designs.
An Islamic leaf from a larger manuscript titled “Dalayl Alkhayrat” by Imam Aljazouli, and dated 1285 AH (1868 AD). Source:http://www.ancientresource.com/lots/islamic_arabic/islamic-arabic-manuscripts.html
Travelling back home, Indian calligraphy, known as ‘lipi’ which means ‘script’. With origins traced back to 3 BCE, it has been used to write Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages in the world. It is usually characterized by its intricate, detailed designs drawn on a variety of materials, including bamboo, palm leaves, and paper.
The word Lipī used by Ashoka to describe his “Edicts”
So does that mean anyone can learn calligraphy? The answer is yes and no. Learning calligraphy requires a certain level of skill and practice, but anyone can try it out. It is more formal and structured as compared to handwriting, which is more personal and informal.
Ultimately, whether you choose to use calligraphy or handwriting depends on what you’re writing and what you want to convey.
In conclusion, the history and evolution of handwriting and calligraphy reflect the intricate and complex cultural and artistic values of each one of these.
From the earliest cave drawings to the modern digital age, writing and calligraphy have played an important role in human communication and expression and will continue to do so for years to come.
