This image of the invocation Bismillah, “In the name of Allah.” is in the Tughra style. The statement is used at the beginning of each sura (except for one) in the Qur’an. As an invocation, it is often used at the beginning of any undertaking.

A tughra (Ottoman Turkish: طغرا‎, romanized: tuğrâ) is also a specific term for an insignia or seal uniquely created for each sultan in the Ottoman empire. Rather than a signature, this sign was drawn on official documents and coins. Many are elegant works of art.

While figurative images have been uncommonly used in Islam, forms of Arabic calligraphy developed beautiful, inventive designs, occasionally in zoomorphic forms.