Thus, daily Muslim life vibrates with it's sacred formulae, and the arrival of literacy designates a huge shift in Arabic culture. As a key element in Islamic art, writing in particular, influenced decoration and pattern. The sacred word of the Qu'ran evolved into both the content and form of Islamic patterns, issuing arabesques and complex, repeating crystalline forms. Calligraphy spread to works other than the Qu'ran and was considered the greatest art. These are often seen on architectural surfaces.
Arabesques are linear, and usually employ vine and plant motifs.
An ancient, multicultural form, it lends itself easily to an undulating abstract line, as well as signifying nature, the tree of life, or paradise. However, they employed animal rather than plant motifs. This style disappeared from the North with the arrival of Latin Christian cultures and more illusionistic modes. Interlaced designs weave like a trellis and form geometric, repeating shapes. The curvilinear arabesque and crystalline interlacement appear closely related or further apart, depending on the artist's intention.