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== Defintion == | |||
Calligraphy originates from the greek words "kallos" meaning beauty, and "graphein" meaning to write, thus calligraphy means beautiful handwriting. <ref name=":0"> "The History of Calligraphy." ''Cult Pens'', https://cultpens.com/pages/the-history-of-calligraphy. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025. </ref> In other words, calligraphy is a form of decorative and artistic writing that has some type of design or form that goes beyond what is written. Therefore, calligraphy is a form of art. More specifically, since calligraphy has a variety of forms and "considers individual structure, and aspires to bring pleasure to the eye, it is just like painting and the other arts."<ref>Kakuzō, Okakura, and Timothy Unverzagt Goddard. “Reading ‘Calligraphy Is Not Art’ (1882).” ''Review of Japanese Culture and Society'', vol. 24, 2012, pp. 168–75. ''JSTOR'', https://www.jstor.org/stable/42801047?searchText=%22calligraphy%22&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3D%2522calligraphy%2522%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fspellcheck_phrase_search%2Ftest&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3ce9bd310a2a645f7d1a72c23477206a&seq=5. </ref> In fact, it can even be said that since calligraphy is a form of art it has the ability to capture a moments emotions.<ref>“History of Lettering.” ''Calligraphers Guild'', https://www.calligraphersguild.org/history-of-lettering. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025. </ref> | |||
== | As an art, calligraphy can take a variety of forms, styles, and types, which each depend on the writer themselves and the genre and topic the writer is focusing on. However, there are some qualities that all types of calligraphy must have. For example, all calligraphy must have clear, legible words, which will allow what is written to be read and received by others. It is important to note that, while legibility is an important element of calligraphy, it isn't the only one. Calligraphy as a whole consists of a variety of artistic elements which make the handwriting not only beautiful but harmonious which further entices readers to read what is written. | ||
==History == | |||
[[File:Hieroglyphics.webp|alt=The first instances of calligraphy: Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. |thumb|The first instances of calligraphy: Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. ]] | |||
Though some may make the argument that calligraphy has existed since the beginning of humankind, in which ancient humans would scrape symbols onto rock in order to communicate with others, the origins of calligraphy are actually much later in time. <ref name=":0" /> | |||
Calligraphy originates | Calligraphy originates in Ancient Egypt. More specially, calligraphy began with the creation of hieroglyphics or the first writing system. Calligraphy is then later seen in Ancient Rome through the Roman square capitals. These Roman capitals can be seen as one of the foundations of calligraphy in which one would write both elegant and decorative letters.<ref name=":1">"That Art of Calligraphy." https://webpages.charlotte.edu/bxiang1/itis3135/project/history.html. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025. </ref> In general, Ancient Rome consisted of the more decorative form of handwriting which included words that were painted on walls, carved on stone or written in cursive. That is, unlike Ancient Egypt in which symbols were used, Ancient Rome had a much more recognizable and similar form of decorative handwriting to today's form of calligraphy. Ancient Rome's form of calligraphy was also a time in which the focus wasn't just on the words themselves but the artistic and unique presentation of these words. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
While originating in Ancient Egypt, calligraphy changed and evolved with each passing period. For instance, during the Middle Ages gothic script was heavily used. This form of writing was characterized by more thick, bold, and compressed lettering, which unlike the Humanist Minuscule font, which was created in the Renaissance Period, shifted away from such boldness and was a much more lighter and simple font. Other types of calligraphy that were created around this time were Copperplate Script, Spencerian Script, and more. <ref>"History of Calligraphy- A Complete Timeline Overview." https://www.lettering-daily.com/calligraphy-history/. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025. </ref> | |||
These various creations of scripts have all lead to the current period of calligraphy known as the modern era. Today, calligraphy is a combination of the more traditional scripts and digital techniques. With the continuous evolvement of technology, calligraphy now has endless fonts and forms to choose from that are all digitized and easy to access. | |||
== Role in Publishing Industry == | |||
[[File:Apppppp.webp|alt=An example of calligraphy on a book cover. |thumb|Two examples of the different forms of calligraphy on a book cover. ]] | |||
Calligraphy or decorative handwriting has a major impact on the publishing industry. Especially with the continuing development of technology, calligraphy plays an important role in the publishing process. This doesn't just refer to the various fonts and designs that can be used inside a book, but the actual title and cover of the novel too. Calligraphy brings about a wide range of fonts and designs for the title and cover of a novel that are each tailored to the story. As a result, calligraphy plays an important role in drawing readers attention to the actual book and is thus part of both the publishing and buying process. | |||
Without the creation of calligraphy not only would the various fonts that are usually used for books not exist, but there would be a major limit of creativity in the creation of a book. That is, calligraphy is a form of creativity in which one can really apply a unique and specialized font or design that best fits their story. Without this however, this form of creativity is completely limited and thus detrimental to both the publishing industry as a whole and the publishing process itself. In fact, without calligraphy many stories wouldn't even be written or read, showing the major role that calligraphy plays in the publishing industry. | |||
== References == | |||
== | |||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category: Glossary]] | [[Category: Glossary]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:58, 4 November 2025
Defintion
Calligraphy originates from the greek words "kallos" meaning beauty, and "graphein" meaning to write, thus calligraphy means beautiful handwriting. [1] In other words, calligraphy is a form of decorative and artistic writing that has some type of design or form that goes beyond what is written. Therefore, calligraphy is a form of art. More specifically, since calligraphy has a variety of forms and "considers individual structure, and aspires to bring pleasure to the eye, it is just like painting and the other arts."[2] In fact, it can even be said that since calligraphy is a form of art it has the ability to capture a moments emotions.[3]
As an art, calligraphy can take a variety of forms, styles, and types, which each depend on the writer themselves and the genre and topic the writer is focusing on. However, there are some qualities that all types of calligraphy must have. For example, all calligraphy must have clear, legible words, which will allow what is written to be read and received by others. It is important to note that, while legibility is an important element of calligraphy, it isn't the only one. Calligraphy as a whole consists of a variety of artistic elements which make the handwriting not only beautiful but harmonious which further entices readers to read what is written.
History
Though some may make the argument that calligraphy has existed since the beginning of humankind, in which ancient humans would scrape symbols onto rock in order to communicate with others, the origins of calligraphy are actually much later in time. [1]
Calligraphy originates in Ancient Egypt. More specially, calligraphy began with the creation of hieroglyphics or the first writing system. Calligraphy is then later seen in Ancient Rome through the Roman square capitals. These Roman capitals can be seen as one of the foundations of calligraphy in which one would write both elegant and decorative letters.[4] In general, Ancient Rome consisted of the more decorative form of handwriting which included words that were painted on walls, carved on stone or written in cursive. That is, unlike Ancient Egypt in which symbols were used, Ancient Rome had a much more recognizable and similar form of decorative handwriting to today's form of calligraphy. Ancient Rome's form of calligraphy was also a time in which the focus wasn't just on the words themselves but the artistic and unique presentation of these words. [1]
While originating in Ancient Egypt, calligraphy changed and evolved with each passing period. For instance, during the Middle Ages gothic script was heavily used. This form of writing was characterized by more thick, bold, and compressed lettering, which unlike the Humanist Minuscule font, which was created in the Renaissance Period, shifted away from such boldness and was a much more lighter and simple font. Other types of calligraphy that were created around this time were Copperplate Script, Spencerian Script, and more. [5]
These various creations of scripts have all lead to the current period of calligraphy known as the modern era. Today, calligraphy is a combination of the more traditional scripts and digital techniques. With the continuous evolvement of technology, calligraphy now has endless fonts and forms to choose from that are all digitized and easy to access.
Role in Publishing Industry
Calligraphy or decorative handwriting has a major impact on the publishing industry. Especially with the continuing development of technology, calligraphy plays an important role in the publishing process. This doesn't just refer to the various fonts and designs that can be used inside a book, but the actual title and cover of the novel too. Calligraphy brings about a wide range of fonts and designs for the title and cover of a novel that are each tailored to the story. As a result, calligraphy plays an important role in drawing readers attention to the actual book and is thus part of both the publishing and buying process.
Without the creation of calligraphy not only would the various fonts that are usually used for books not exist, but there would be a major limit of creativity in the creation of a book. That is, calligraphy is a form of creativity in which one can really apply a unique and specialized font or design that best fits their story. Without this however, this form of creativity is completely limited and thus detrimental to both the publishing industry as a whole and the publishing process itself. In fact, without calligraphy many stories wouldn't even be written or read, showing the major role that calligraphy plays in the publishing industry.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The History of Calligraphy." Cult Pens, https://cultpens.com/pages/the-history-of-calligraphy. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
- ↑ Kakuzō, Okakura, and Timothy Unverzagt Goddard. “Reading ‘Calligraphy Is Not Art’ (1882).” Review of Japanese Culture and Society, vol. 24, 2012, pp. 168–75. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/42801047?searchText=%22calligraphy%22&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3D%2522calligraphy%2522%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fspellcheck_phrase_search%2Ftest&refreqid=fastly-default%3A3ce9bd310a2a645f7d1a72c23477206a&seq=5.
- ↑ “History of Lettering.” Calligraphers Guild, https://www.calligraphersguild.org/history-of-lettering. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
- ↑ "That Art of Calligraphy." https://webpages.charlotte.edu/bxiang1/itis3135/project/history.html. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
- ↑ "History of Calligraphy- A Complete Timeline Overview." https://www.lettering-daily.com/calligraphy-history/. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
