The ‘Kufic Encyclopedia’ consists of volumes of books on the history of the Kufic style of calligraphy and a survey of the historical issues related to that.

 Objectives:

The purpose of the current study is to introduce the different styles of this type of calligraphy and how they were created based on the changes produced in form. Another purpose of this Encyclopedia is to study the characteristics of form in each of the different types of the Kufic style as well as their disparities.

Also it has been intended to conduct a survey of the changes in each of the Kufic styles in a separate and specialized way so as to analyze how the newer forms of the Kufic style of calligraphy were created (after the primary form) and finally to make known the styles  other than the Kufic one.

Reviewing the historical background and the origins of the Kufic style of calligraphy as well as studying other contemporary styles which are still unknown are other topics surveyed in this encyclopedia.

 What is the application of Kufic Encyclopedia?

Undoubtedly, the result of the researches on the above-mentioned points and finding a satisfying and scientific answer to a large number of other important issues can help us discover valuable information on ancient calligraphy and its history.   

Mehtod:

The methodology of this encyclopedia is studying the written works still extant from the pre-Islamic era as well as the period following the emergence of Islam. The research based on the historical documents and the handwritten scripts of that era is a more reliable method than merely naming the styles which have been repeated in many books in almost the same way.  

Difficulties:

Although the range of styles of Kufic calligraphy is very various and extensive, to carry out this research, we are bound to encounter certain difficulties. One of such difficulties is the lack of concentrated and comprehensive researches on this style as well as the very scattered and insufficient information on ‘

The World of Kufic Art’ through which we could follow up and develop the experiences and the result of the studies of the researchers. The defects mentioned above as well as lack of proper reference on the numerous subtle and complicated points on the Kufic styles of calligraphy acted as a motivation to begin research on ‘the History of the Kufic Style of Calligraphy’.   

Help to improve the KuficPedia:

 Despite the difficulties pointed out – and the hard way to gain access to the resources of ancient styles of calligraphy – learning the new points and deciphering the hidden meanings could be very encouraging to surge ahead and complete this research.