​Nvshu
What is Nvshu?
The Only Existent Gender Script
The words Nvshu literally means "Woman's Writing" in Chinese. Nvshu has been known as a writing system created and used by women in a remote part of China. The definition of a fluent Nvshu user has four parts: singing (click here to listen Nvshu music), writing, embroidery and the sworn sisterhood. [1]
Where is the place using Nvshu?
Yong Zhou, located in southern China, lies 200 miles from Guangzhou, and is a place loaded with history. Previously called Lingling, this city was famous for its military significance. [2]
Jiangyong County is subordinate to Yongzhou City. Jiangyong Nvshu is popular in Shangjiangwei area , and used to be popular in Xiaopu Town, Qianjiadong Yaozu County, Yunshan Town and Huangjialing County, etc. [3]
Why woman create Nvshu?
The women were forbidden formal education for many centuries, women were not permitted to attend any schools, let alone academies. But it doesn’t mean they didn’t have a zeal for knowledge and literature. [4] Smart Jiangyong women developed the Nvshu script in order to communicate with one another. They embroidered the script into cloth and wrote it in books and on paper fans. [5]
How did woman leart Nvshu?
Nvshu is passed on from the older generation of the family, via private schools, getang (a singing activity), or self-learning. As almost every local woman knows how to sing Nvshu songs, self-learning is very easy. However, no matter by which means, Nvshu is handed down exclusively by women. [6]
Why Nvshu writing system special?
Type of writing system: syllabic
Number of symbols: 600-700
Direction of writing: vertical columns running from top to bottom and from right to left. Many Nvshu characters are based on Chinese characters, while some are modelled on embroidery stitches and designs. Nvshu characters represent pronunciation, unlike Chinese characters, which represent pronunciation and meaning. Nvshu was taught to women by their mothers or grandmothers. [7]
Discover Nvshu's Secret World
References: [1]http://english.cctv.com/program/RediscoveringChina_new/20050405/101906.shtml
[2] http://english.cctv.com/program/RediscoveringChina_new/20050405/101906.shtml
[3] http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2011-03/08/content_12136080.htm
[4] http://english.cctv.com/program/RediscoveringChina_new/20050405/101906.shtml
[5] http://www.omniglot.com/writing/nushu.htm
[6] http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/17Traditions3835.html