Nastaʿliq

Nastaʿliq (نستعليق) is a classical script that emerged in Persia, shaped by blending qualities associated with Naskh and Taʿliq. It became closely tied to Persian literary culture and was widely used for poetry and manuscripts, where the script's form could carry tone and mood alongside meaning.

Visual Character

Nastaʿliq is known for its slanted, hanging baseline (look at the red baseline) and its dramatic rhythm. Words often feel like they're cascading, with strong diagonals, elegant curves, and lively contrast that create a lyrical texture across the line. Because its structure is expressive and less "straight" than text scripts like Naskh, Nastaʿliq is most often seen in literary and cultural contexts rather than dense continuous reading.