Ebru Art

Last Updated: 02.12.2025

Ebru is a traditional decorative art formed by transferring patterns created by natural pigments sprinkled onto concentrated water known as kitre, using specialized techniques onto paper. It is part of Turkish decorative arts and was widely used especially during the Ottoman period.

History:

The origins of ebru art are not definitively known. Similar techniques are known to have been used in China as "liu sha shien" and in Japan as "suminagashi." In Chagatai Turkish, this art was called "ebre." The art first passed to Iran and then to the Ottoman Empire. It is associated with the Persian word "ebri" meaning "cloud-like." It entered Turkish as "ebrû."

In the 16th century, ebru was practiced in India by Mir Muhammad Tahir, after which it spread to Iran and Ottoman territories. It was introduced to Western countries as "Turkish Paper." In Germany, France, and Italy, it is also known as "marbled paper." Examples of ebru can be found in Europe from the 17th century onward.

Materials:

Kitre: Obtained from the geven plant. It thickens the water.
Pigments: Natural earth pigments are used. They do not dissolve in water and settle at the bottom when mixed with pure water. Before use, they are mixed with ox gall.
Ox gall: Cattle gall is preferred. It enables the pigments to spread and adhere on the water surface.
Brush: Brushes made from rose twigs and horsehair are used.
Tray: A container, usually rectangular and made of metal, in which the pigmented and kitre-treated water is placed.
Biz: Thin pointed sticks used to create patterns.
Comb: Used to produce regular lines in ebru.

Materials of Ebru Art (Generated by artificial intelligence.)

Production Steps:

Kitre-treated water is prepared and poured into the tray.
Pigments mixed with ox gall are sprinkled onto the water surface using a brush.
A biz or comb is used to create patterns.
Paper is carefully placed onto the surface.
After a short time, the paper is lifted from the surface and dried.

Ebru Art Third Production Step (Generated by artificial intelligence.)

Pattern Types:

Battal Ebru: The oldest and simplest pattern type. Pigments are transferred directly onto paper without mixing. It resembles a pebble stone appearance and is known in the West as "Turkish Stone."
Gel-Git Ebru: Created by drawing lines from top to bottom or side to side on a battal ebru surface using a biz.
Şal Ebru: Formed by crossing lines over a gel-git ebru pattern.
Taraklı Ebru: Created by using a comb to draw lines on battal or gel-git patterns.
Bülbül Yuvası Ebru: Made by adding spiral lines over any existing pattern.
Hafif Ebru: A pattern type made with faint and light-colored tones. Often used as a background for calligraphy.
Somaki Ebru: Resembles marble or granite. A high-gall pigment is used as the final layer.
Kumlu-Kılçıklı Ebru: A pattern formed when the kitre-treated water in the tray becomes contaminated, causing the pigments to take on a sandy appearance. Sandy patterns can also be achieved using a Lahor Çividi.
Hatip Ebrusu: Colorful pigment droplets are placed on a light pattern, and these rings are shaped using a wire to form designs such as "Çarkıfelek" or "yürek." Developed by Ayasofya Hatibi Mehmed Efendi.
Çiçekli Ebru (Necmeddin Ebru): Dots of pigment are applied onto a light background to create floral patterns such as tulips, roses, hyacinths, and carnations. Developed by Necmeddin Okyay.