Zoomorphic calligram for a Persian tattoo in Farsi calligraphy: “Better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep.”
Zoomorphic and Flora Calligrams
Zoomorphic calligraphy is a very popular choice for tattoos, as well as an interesting choice for artwork and logo designs. In a zoomorphic design, the calligraphy creates the shape of a bird or a lion or some other animal. Closely related are florigrams, in which the calligraphy creates the shape of a flower or a tree or some other plant. Together these designs are all labelled calligrams. Calligrams present a unique challenge to me as a calligrapher, as I must create a specific shape–animal or plant–while retaining some of the essential qualities of the calligraphy. Fortunately, Arabic and Perso-Arabic script is a wonderfully flexible medium, and the tradition allows the artist a great deal of freedom in using the words to create artistic designs.
Calligrams, Zoomorphic Calligraphy, Zoomorphic Tattoos, Florigrams, Persian Zoomorphic Tattoos, Arabic Tattoos
Zoomorphic Bird
Bird Calligraphy in Arabic Script. Calligraphy design by Stewart J. Thomas www.palmstone.com
Name in the form of a Lady bug
Design of the name “Layli” – Lalibug – created by Stewart Thomas.
Zoomorphic Calligraphy
Calligraphy in the shape of various animals, known as zoomorphic calligraphy, is very popular. This loosely penned design is the word “enshallah” in the shape of a bird, the meaning being “God’s will,” “God willing,” or “[it is of] God’s generation or creation.”
انشاع الله