Calligraphy & Graphology |
|
 |
|
Calligraphy around the World
Calligraphy is common and can be found through cultures round the world and to have existed for many years. Western calligraphy is derived from the Roman alphabet which incorporates elements of the Phoenician, Greek and Etruscan alphabets and evolved around 600 BC. The earliest examples can be found dating from the first century AD on carved stones and walls. The art spread to Britain and evolved, developing and merging different regional styles.
East Asian calligraphy originated in ancient China where the oldest examples dating from around 200 BC are seen carved on shell or bone and have survived decay over time. In 220 BC a standardized character set was created with 3300 differing symbols. The Kǎishū style is now the traditional regular script.
Indian calligraphy is first seen dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE and as yet has not been deciphered; however it is thought to have given rise to the writing systems used in India today. The oldest translated scripts are Buddhist manuscripts written on birch bark and are thought to date to first century CE.
Tibet also had its own calligraphy style derived from Indic script. It was traditional for nobles and High Lamas to be trained calligraphers and almost all religious Tibetan writing involves calligraphy and can even be seen forged into prayer wheels used in religious ceremonies. Other cultures that have well known examples of calligraphy in its historic documents include Mayan, Islamic and Persian culture.