Към историята на арабската буква waw в турското изкуство (По материали от България и Турция)
To the History of the Arabic Letter Waw in Turkish Art (Based on Materials from Turkey and Bulgaria)

Summary/Abstract: The paper examines examples of Ottoman calligraphical inscriptions including the Arabic letter waw. In Turkish art, these cases are represented by two types of calligraphic compositions: A) a calligram containing mirrored or symmetrically written two waws; B) a calligram containing one waw and one alif. Both types of calligrams were inspired by the doctrine of Sufism, and were introduced and spread by calligraphers professing Hurufism and Bektashism or sympathizing with these mystical currents in Turkish traditional culture. In conclusion, it is summarized that calligraphy has unlimited possibilities for turning Arabic letters both into highly specific artifacts and into a means of expressing very diverse religious views.

• Details
• Contents