Hüsn-i Hat, Traditional Calligraphy in Islamic Art in Turkey

Hüsn-i Hat,Traditional Calligraphy in Islamic Art, is writing in dimensional and proportional way with reed pen and lampblack ink or other inks produced by handmade while abiding by aesthetics values. Bearers and practitioners of the element are known as hattat (Calligrapher or calligraphy master) or hat artist. This art is called hüsn-i hat means beautiful writing. Aharlı kağıt (paper, which glazed with organic substances), kamış kalem (reed pen), penknives, makta (the special slab for trimming the reed pen), hokka (inkwells), and divit (pencases) are the mostly used tools in the tradition. Hüsn-i hat, Traditional Calligraphy in Islamic Artevokes admiration on its watchers like painting, architecture and adornment. 

Koran (sacred book of Islam), verses of Koran, hadiths and laconics are written by hat.

Hüsn-i hat is applied on a special paper, which glazed with organic substances, leather or other writing materials with the cooperation of reed pen and lampblack ink by means of the hands of hattat. Also hüsn-i hat is applied on the surfaces of stone, marble, glass, mine or wood by special techniques.

Holding the reed pen and its directions on the paper by hattat ensures the perfection of the letters or compound.

There are sülüs, celi sülüs,  nesih,  muhakkak,  reyhâni,  tevki’, rika’, kûfî, siyâkat, ta’lik, celi ta’lik, dîvânî, celi dîvâni, rik’a, gubari writing styles have been evolved over centuries.

Calligraphers (Hattats) have specific roles in the transmission of the element. They transmit their knowledge, skills and ethics of the element through master-apprentice relation to the next generations.  Calligraphers also can make their own special tools, materials and equipment used in the hüsn-i hat. They transmit not only their knowledge, skills and ethics but also traditional craftsmanship related to the element.

Hüsn-i hat, which was a medium of manuscripts before, started to be frequently used in the public and religious architectures. Apart from the manuscript folios and wall plates, the hüsn-i hat became a decoration aspect in monumental portals, walls, mihrabs, minbars, and domes of these structures as inscriptions or chronograms. The hüsn-i hat is used as an ornament in public areas, also reflects the cultural identity of the cities in Turkey. These hüsn-i hat ornaments of public spaces and buildings bound people to their past, strengthen social memory and cultural identity.

“Hüsn-i Hat, Traditional Calligraphy in Islamic Art in Turkey” was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021.