• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Preschool Science
  • Science Facts
  • Printable Experiments
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Science Questions
  • Contact Me
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Key Stage 3
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Leonardo da Vinci – Mirror Writing

    Leonardo da Vinci – Mirror Writing

    November 1, 2017 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, scientist and inventor who lived between 1452 and 1519. Leonardo is probably most famous for painting the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, but as well as painting he kept journals full of drawings of the different subjects he was studying, these included anatomical drawings, a design for a flying machine, musical instruments and even bridges.

    Leonardo wrote his notes using a kind of shorthand he invented himself and also mirrored his writing, writing from right to left.

    It’s though he only wrote normally when his writing was intended for other people. One theory of why he used mirror writing is that he wanted to keep his hands clean, as a left hander mirror writing would have stopped the ink smudging as he wrote.

    Materials

    Paper

    Pencil

    Mirror

    Image of backwards writing in a mirror as part of a Leonardo Da Vinci activity

    Instructions

    Try to write your name backwards using the hand you normally write with, do you have to think much more carefully? Check you’ve done it correctly using a mirror.

    Now try writing backwards using the hand you don’t write with, how do you find that?

    Is it easier if you use a mirror?

    mirror writing - use a mirror to write backwards on a piece of paper

    Extension Idea

    Is it easier if you write with both hands at the same time, with one writing backwards and one forwards?

    More Leonardo da Vinci Facts

    He was an expert in human anatomy.

    His most famous paintings are the Mona Lisa, the Vitruvian Man and the Last Supper.

    He lived during the Renaissance (14th -17th century ), a period that led to important developments in areas such as art and science, bridging the gap between the Middle Ages and Modern History.

    Leonardo da Vinci was multi-talented.  He was an inventor, scientist, mathematician, engineer, writer and musician.

    Leonardo da Vinci Inventions

    Leonardo da Vinci was a brilliant scientist, engineer and inventor. Here are a few of his most famous inventions.

    Parachute

    Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t the first to come up with the idea of a parachute, but his was more sophisticated than earlier designs. British skydiver Adrian Nicholas proved Leonardo’s design worked by jumping with a parachute built following Leonardo’s design 500 years after Leonardo sketched it!

    Diving suit

    Leonardo’s design for a diving suit is very similar to the first prototypes of what we think of as a diving suit today.

    Tank

    Tanks were not actually used until World War 1, but Leonardo designed them 500 years earlier!

    Discover more about Leonardo da Vinci’s incredible inventions over at History Lists.

    Leonardo da Vinci Mirror Writing. Image of Leonardo da Vinci and backwards writing using a mirror

    Last Updated on June 30, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

    « Fizzy Pumpkins
    Oregon Scientific Day and Night Globe »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    What are you looking for?

    Fill your inbox with science

    Newsletter

    Signup for weekly science in your inbox

    You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    Science Sparks Books
    Around the World in 50 Experiments

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd