The Impact of Mysticism and Sufism on Iranian Calligraphy 7th to 9th Centuries AH

7th, 8th and 9th centuries possess two special positions in Iranian history of Calligraphy. First, during this period, the nine forms of calligraphy developed and Nasta’liq script attributed to Iran emerged. Second, calligraphy theory and aesthetics shaped in the same period. What Perso-Islamic mystics created during this era not only gave form to calligraphy but also influenced other arts. It is during this time the relation of calligraphy and mysticism is considered as the link between soul and body. Appearance of famous schools of thought such as Ibne Arabi’s, emergence of mystic sects such as Horoofiyeh, Noqtaviyeh and Bektashiyeh etc., appearance of art forms like Nasta’iq script and their interactions play an indispensable role in the study of calligraphy aesthetics and its cultural position.