Rice writing

Rice writing is the art and skill of being able to write small enough to write on a grain of rice.

History

Rice writing originated in Ancient Anatolia and India. Many rituals and rites use rice as a medium, but at some point in ancient Anatolia artisans who were skilled in making miniature paintings decided to turn their skill to making art with what had always been an ancient symbol of prosperity, the oldest example of which lies in Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. The artisans would inscribe messages or names on a single grain of rice after it was treated and polished. Grains that were long and flat were favorites as they offered proper surfaces for writing. Apart from Turkey, India also had a large number of artisans skilled in making miniature art including rice art.

Rice art Symbolism

Rice art is considered to bring good luck hence some of its most popular forms is good luck pendants, hope bracelets and cell phone charms. To examine why rice art is considered auspicious and a symbol of good luck we need to first realize that as the medium of this art, rice in itself is symbolic of the same. As rice is a staple food in the Orient, traditions obviously link it to prosperity, fertility and good fortune. The more rice you have the more prosperous you are and in some cultures rice not gold is considered a symbol of wealth. Many believe that rice is a link between mankind and the Earth itself, rice being the gift of the Mother Earth (Goddess) to her offspring (man) so that he may be able eat and sustain himself.

In fact in Hindu mythology offerings are made to Lakshmi the goddess of prosperity before a rice field is planted. In Indonesia it is believed that the Goddess Dewi Nawang Sasih taught people how to cook rice. In Bali, another place Hinduism flourishes Lakshmi’s husband Vishnu is credited with giving birth to rice while Indra the king of the gods taught people to grow it.

Hence rice is deeply symbolic and is used in various fertility rites, rituals to attract blessings and bring prosperity. In extension to this belief people believed that anyone who could get rice grains with messages or their name written on them would be very fortunate and could become prosperous; hence the tradition of gifting pieces of rice art came into being.

Rice art and Rice jewelry today

Within time rice writing and rice art evolved, soon creating rice jewelry where the rice grain was enclosed in a vial with a liquid/oil that magnifies the individual grain making it easier to appreciate the painstaking and intricate details. This went further with rice jewelry like good luck pendants, charm bracelets, anklets and earrings. In modern times most of these artisans and artists set up shop with street side stalls where they would personally write your message or name on a rice grain while displaying your wares.

Technique

Most modern day rice writers use the following tools:

1. Common long grain white rice: This rice is a flat cylinder shape. Because it is flat it provides two wide surfaces for writing.
2. Sharp utility knife: This is used to scrape the rice slightly to remove ridges to provide a smooth surface for writing. This scraping method can also be used to remove minor mistakes.
3. Clay: Some people use a utility gripper clay and others use a modeling clay. The clay is used to hold the rice in place while performing the writing.
4. Technical pen: This is a drawing pen with an ultra-fine tip. Most pens used are either size .18 (4x0) or .13 (6x0). These can be purchased online, or at some arts and crafts stores.
5. Waterproof Ink: This ink is sold with the technical pen.

Once the rice writing is complete, it is usually preserved in a small vial of liquid/oil. Many craftsman mount these vials into jewelery such as necklaces, bracelets and key chains.