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The Cosmic Script: Sacred Geometry and the Science of Arabic Penmanship — Occult Philosophy

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The Cosmic Script: Sacred Geometry and the Science of Arabic Penmanship

Name: The Cosmic Script: Sacred Geometry and the Science of Arabic Penmanship
Price: 150.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9781620553961

✍️ Ahmed Moustafa, Stefan Sperl

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4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This seminal, richly illustrated study delves into the profound cosmic order embedded within Arabic calligraphy. It meticulously explores the 'Proportioned Script' codified by the renowned tenth-century master, Ibn Muqla, revealing the sacred geometric principles that define each letter. Through decades of dedicated research, authors Moustafa and Sperl illuminate how this system emerged from a fascinating cross-cultural fusion of ancient Greek intellectual traditions with the scientific, artistic, and philosophical pursuits of classical Islam, ultimately shaping the central visual art of the Islamic world.

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Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“This monumental work of Ahmed Moustafa and Stefan Sperl offers a comprehensive and convincing new account of the geometry of the Arabic script, accomplishing in the process a revolution at the intersection of art, mathematics, and spirituality. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Islamic art, calligraphy, and the beauty of geometry.”

— Carl W. Ernst, Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2014 📖 688 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781620553961

Fun Fact

This two-volume masterpiece offers an unparalleled deep dive into the mystical underpinnings of Arabic calligraphy. Its lavish illustrations and meticulous research make it essential for serious scholars and devotees of sacred art. While not a practical guide for calligraphers, it profoundly enriches understanding of the craft's spiritual and intellectual heritage. A groundbreaking contribution to both Islamic studies and esoteric geometry, it will disappoint those seeking a casual overview, but reward the dedicated seeker with profound insights.

📝 Description: The Cosmic Script: Sacred Geometry and the Science of Arabic Penmanship

A fully illustrated, landmark study of Islamic calligraphy traced back to its deepest historical and cultural roots - Explores the sacred geometry of each letter form of the Arabic alphabet as attributed to renowned 10th-century scribe Ibn Muqla - Traces Ibn Muqla's system to the cross-cultural encounter between Greek learning and the scientific, artistic, and philosophical pursuits of classical Islam - A richly illustrated, two-volume presentation of decades of research with more than 430 full-color illustrations Calligraphy is the central visual art of Islam. At its core resides a perennial challenge: What letter shapes traced by human hands are rightful bearers of the divine message? The answer lies in the "Proportioned Script" of Ibn Muqla, renowned scribe, man of letters, and minister under the great Abbasid Caliphate in 10th-century Baghdad. Emphasizing harmony and geometry, Ibn Muqla's system has governed the practice of Arabic scribal art up to the present day. In this two-volume, richly illustrated study, Ahmed Moustafa and Stefan Sperl analyze each letter form of Ibn Muqla's perfected penmanship and share their decades of research on Islamic letter shapes, revealing the history, linguistics, philosophy, theology, and sacred geometry that underlie this spiritual art form. In volume one the authors reveal the trilogy of prophecy, penmanship, and geometry at the foundation of Ibn Muqla's Proportioned Script. Providing a fully illustrated analysis of Islamic calligraphy's geometrical principles as transmitted in surviving writings and key manuscript sources, they examine the geometric grid of square, circle, and hexagon that informs the pen strokes of each letter shape and explore how the golden ratio appears within the matrix of the grid. They examine the development of Ibn Muqla's system in the context of the sciences, arts, and penmanship of 10th-century Baghdad and trace its origins to the cross-cultural encounter between Greek learning and the scientific, artistic, and philosophical pursuits of classical Islam. In volume two the authors analyze the calligraphic forms of each letter of the Arabic alphabet. They decode the sacred geometry of each form as it appears within the geometric grid, providing letter samples from ancient sources. Unearthing the theoretical and scientific foundations of Arabic calligraphy, this landmark study examines the aesthetic implications of Ibn Muqla's theory for the visual, verbal, and aural arts of Islam as well as the Islamic mystical tradition.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This seminal study is a richly illustrated deep dive into the sacred geometric principles of Arabic calligraphy, specifically the Proportioned Script codified by Ibn Muqla. It successfully illuminates the cross-cultural fusion of Greek intellectual traditions with classical Islamic pursuits. However, readers seeking casual reading or purely decorative art books may find the dense academic focus on scientific and philosophical underpinnings tedious. It is not suitable for those uninterested in the historical or mathematical rigor behind artistic forms. The book demands attention to detail and a willingness to engage with complex intellectual history rather than simple visual appreciation.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of art, science, and spirituality will find this book profoundly rewarding. It offers a unique window into the divine geometry hidden within Arabic scripture, appealing to those who appreciate the rigorous intellectual frameworks behind aesthetic beauty. If you are intrigued by how ancient Greek thought fused with Islamic philosophy to create enduring visual arts, this text provides essential context. It is ideal for scholars and enthusiasts seeking to understand the scientific precision behind the elegance of calligraphy, revealing the cosmic order that defines each letter through meticulous research.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you are captivated by sacred geometry, the esoteric dimensions of art, or the intellectual history of the Islamic Golden Age, this profound study offers unparalleled insights. Prepare for a deep dive into the spiritual architecture of language itself.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This seminal study is a richly illustrated deep dive into the sacred geometric principles of Arabic calligraphy, specifically the Proportioned Script codified by Ibn Muqla. It successfully illuminates the cross-cultural fusion of Greek intellectual traditions with classical Islamic pursuits. However, readers seeking casual reading or purely decorative art books may find the dense academic focus on scientific and philosophical underpinnings tedious. It is not suitable for those uninterested in the historical or mathematical rigor behind artistic forms. The book demands attention to detail and a willingness to engage with complex intellectual history rather than simple visual appreciation.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While invaluable for those practicing Arabic calligraphy, its scope extends far beyond technical instruction. It offers profound insights for anyone interested in sacred geometry, art history, Islamic mysticism, and the philosophy of language.

This work is the culmination of decades of research, presenting a comprehensive, deeply illustrated analysis of Ibn Muqla's system. Its unique contribution lies in meticulously tracing the sacred geometric roots of Arabic script and its cross-cultural intellectual heritage, often overlooked in other studies.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Sacred Geometry of Script

The book meticulously decodes the precise geometric ratios and harmonious proportions inherent in each Arabic letter form. It reveals how these mathematical underpinnings, attributed to Ibn Muqla, transform penmanship from mere writing into a profound expression of universal order and divine harmony, making the script a visual embodiment of metaphysical principles.

Historical Evolution of Calligraphy

Tracing the lineage of Arabic writing, this work highlights the pivotal role of Ibn Muqla's system in standardizing and elevating Islamic calligraphy. It contextualizes his innovations within the cultural and intellectual zenith of the Abbasid Caliphate, demonstrating how his principles have guided and inspired scribal artists for over a millennium.

Cross-Cultural Intellectual Synthesis

The authors illuminate the fertile ground where Hellenic philosophical and mathematical thought converged with Islamic scholarly traditions. This fusion, central to Ibn Muqla's work, reveals how the 'Proportioned Script' is not just an artistic achievement but a testament to a rich intellectual exchange that profoundly shaped classical Islamic science, art, and spirituality.

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the intellectual ferment of the 10th-century Abbasid Caliphate, a period often called the Islamic Golden Age, Ibn Muqla's 'Proportioned Script' revolutionized Arabic calligraphy. This era saw an unprecedented synthesis of ancient Greek wisdom with Islamic scholarship, leading to advancements in science, philosophy, and art, of which this geometric approach to divine script is a prime example.

📚 Glossary

Ibn Muqla
Proportioned Script
Abbasid Caliphate

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does the concept of 'sacred geometry' in language alter your perception of written words and their potential for conveying divine meaning?
Reflect on how cross-cultural intellectual exchanges, like that between Greek thought and Islamic scholarship, have historically enriched and transformed artistic and spiritual practices.
Consider the power of calligraphy as a 'central visual art' in Islam. How might the emphasis on geometric perfection contribute to its spiritual significance for practitioners and observers?