ANCRA — Australian Nushu Culture & Research Association

Students practising Nüshu calligraphy in colour at a workshop, with paper fans, ink stamps, and a fieldwork book on the table

The Voice of the Script

A Heritage of Elegance and Resilience

Nüshu (女書), literally "women's writing," is a syllabic script derived from Chinese characters that was used exclusively among women in Jiangyong County, Hunan Province. Transmitted by the elongated, italicised strokes and delicate openwork, it represents a remarkable cultural phenomenon of tactful solidarity and expression.

Our association approaches this script not merely as an artefact of the past, but as a living testament to resilience, allowing women to record their histories, poetry, and grief in the margins of a society that denied them formal education.

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Our Academic Mission

Research & Translation

Conducting rigorous academic research and translating historical Nüshu texts to make them accessible to scholars and the public in Australia and globally.

Cultural Preservation

Collaborating with archives and museum practitioners to digitise artefacts and ensure this remarkable script is carried forward for future generations.

Exhibition & Advocacy

Curating public exhibitions and lecture series that highlight the aesthetic beauty and historical significance of Nüshu culture.

Poster for Full Moon Werewolf Night — an ANCRA board-games and craft evening on 16 September 2026 at the University of Sydney

Games Night · Members

满月之夜狼人杀 · Full Moon Werewolf Night

🎉 中秋活动堂堂来袭！“月”字女书香牌到场就能领。
Our Mid-Autumn event is here — a Nüshu incense tag bearing the character for “moon” for everyone who comes.

明月渐圆，中秋将至。在团圆的节日到来之前，女书社想先和大家小聚一晚，做灯笼、画漆扇、玩桌游，认识几位新朋友，把中秋前的夜晚过得热闹一些。
With the moon filling out and the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, we'd like to gather for an evening first — making lanterns, painting lacquer fans, playing board games and meeting a few new people.

📅 时间：2026年9月16日，周三，17:00–19:00
Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

📍 地点：Old Teachers College 448, The University of Sydney
Venue: Old Teachers College 448, The University of Sydney

👥 参与对象：ANCRA 会员，不限性别
Open to ANCRA members, all genders welcome.

【当晚内容】
What's on

🎮 满月之时，狼人也悄悄出没。身份牌翻开以后，有人藏起獠牙，有人绞尽脑汁猜身份、盘逻辑——上一轮还是并肩作战的队友，下一轮就已开始互相怀疑。
Under the full moon the werewolves come out. Once the role cards turn over, some hide their fangs while others work the logic — last round's ally is this round's suspect.

🎲 狼人杀之外，还有 UNO、阿瓦隆、谁是卧底、害你在心口难开等桌游，想认真盘逻辑、轻松玩几局，或者只是坐下来认识些新朋友，都可以找到一桌加入。
Beyond Werewolf there's UNO, Avalon, Who Is the Spy and more — whether you want to play seriously, play casually, or just sit down and meet people, there's a table for you.

🏮 临近中秋，这一晚也留了一些属于节日的慢时刻：做中秋灯笼、绘漆扇，在游戏的喧闹之间坐下来做做手工。等手里的灯笼亮起来，月亮也快圆了。
There are slower, festive moments too — making lanterns and painting lacquer fans between rounds. By the time your lantern lights up, the moon will be nearly full.

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海报待补充 · Poster to be added

Wellbeing · Date TBC

期中充电站 | 悉大瑜伽体验课

🔋 Week 8 快到了，期中周的考试、deadline 也越来越近。想在忙碌之间，给自己留一点喘息的时间吗？
Week 8 is almost here, and mid-semester exams and deadlines are closing in. Want to make a little room to breathe?

这次 USYD YogaSoc 与悉尼大学女书社（ANCRA）联合带来一节 Hatha Yoga 体验课。从呼吸、冥想到基础体式，慢慢舒展身体，也把注意力重新带回到自己身上。课程对零基础的同学友好，第一次尝试瑜伽也完全可以加入。
USYD YogaSoc and ANCRA are presenting a Hatha Yoga taster class — breathing, meditation and foundational postures. Beginner-friendly; no experience needed.

女书在一笔一画间诉说内心，瑜伽在一呼一吸间感知身体。这个期中周的下午，让我们暂时放下 deadline，安静地和自己待一会儿。
Nüshu speaks the inner life stroke by stroke; yoga senses the body breath by breath. Set the deadlines down for an afternoon and sit quietly with yourself.

📅 时间：暂定
Date: to be confirmed

📍 地点：暂定
Venue: to be confirmed

👥 参与条件：USYD YogaSoc 或 ANCRA 任意一方会员
Open to members of either USYD YogaSoc or ANCRA.

See the Calendar →

Australian Nushu Culture & Research Association