Arabic calligraphy is the art of flowingly transcribing the alphabet of the Arabic language into print, thus instilling the writing with harmony, elegance and beauty. Passed down through formal and informal teaching, this cultural practice uses the twenty-eight letters of the Arabic alphabet to write in cursive from right to left. In its beginnings, this calligraphy was designed to make texts clearer and more legible, but it later evolved into a veritable Islamic Arab art for writing classical and modern works. The flow of Arabic calligraphy creates a countless number of possibilities, even in writing one single word, since the letters can be stretched and transformed in many ways to embody different motifs. In traditional calligraphy, natural materials are used: the calligraphic pen (“qalam”) is made from cane and bamboo stalks; the ink is made from a mixture of honey, carbon black and saffron, and the paper is made by hand, then treated with starch, egg white and alum stone. Synthetic markers and paints are often used in modern calligraphy, as are sprays for writing on fences, boards and the walls of buildings. Craftsmen and designers also use Arabic calligraphy to produce artistic ornamentation on marble, wood carvings, fabric embroidery and metal engravings. This calligraphic art is widespread both inside and outside of Arab countries, and it is practiced by men and women of all ages. The techniques used in the art are handed down informally through apprenticeship systems and at formal centers of learning.