According to geographic locale, Chinese-Arabic calligraphy can be further divided into three branches (or schools): the Northern, the Southern, and the Western. Traditional Arabic calligraphy in China is the tools of the trade can be used to classify the two major techniques of classical writing: the two fonts, differentiated by their tools, are the hard brush style, uses a piece of bamboo, a wood stick, or a carved animal bone implement to write with soft brush font, uses a brush made of wool, hair, or plant fibers to make a writing implement. Traditional Arabic calligraphy in China represents the essence of the artistic work of generations of calligraphers, a unique cultural fusion of Chinese culture and Islamic art.
After Islam spread to China, the Chinese Muslims incorporated some characteristics of Chinese calligraphy into traditional Arabic calligraphy.
