Nüshu

Nüshu is a script that was used exclusively by women in parts of China. It is not known how many women were literate in Nüshu, but it is estimated that there were several hundred thousand. The script was used to write poetry and other writings, and was also used as a secret code between women. Nüshu means “women’s script” or “women’s writing”. It is also known as “Nüshu Jiyin”, “Nüshu Jiyuan”, or “Nüshu Jiwen”. The script consists of 8,000 to 10,000 characters, and was created by women in the Jiangyong county of Hunan province in China. The script is written from right to left, and each character has two parts: a sound element and a meaning element. The sound element is used to indicate the pronunciation, while the meaning element gives the character its meaning. Nüshu was used exclusively by women, and was passed down from mother to daughter. It was used to write poetry, letters, and diaries. It was also used as a secret code between women, as men were not able to read it. The script began to decline in the early 20th century, as more women began to receive formal education and literacy rates increased. By the mid-20th century, the script was no longer in use. However, in recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in Nüshu, and efforts are being made to preserve the script. In 2002, the Nüshu Cultural Museum was founded in Jiangyong county, and in 2007, UNESCO recognized Nüshu as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.