The System of "Poetry of Six Forms"(六诗) and "Xing Poetry"(兴诗)

is an important theory in the history of Chinese literature and literary criticism. This article comprehensively analyzes how was used in literature of pre-Qin period. According to the establishing time and function of Da Shi ( an official who was in charge of the system of poetry of six forms in of Zhou), it assumes that the teaching of poetry of six forms might begin at the late stage of the Spring and Autumn Period. By investigating the use of poetry of six forms in other pre-Qin literatures, it discovers the order of each item generated in poetry of six forms, and unveils that Feng, Fu, Bi Ya and Song are used earlier than Xing. was first seen in the silk book in the Warring States Period while the name of poetry of six forms was only found in of Zhou. Therefore, the concept of poetry of six forms and Xing Poetry was probably generated and used at the middle or late stage of Warring States Period, while the time when Da Shi in Ritual of Zhou began to teach poetry of six forms was probably a little earlier. From Qin and Han periods on, interpretation of poems with became popular, thus being regarded as the forerunner of interpreting poem with in Mao poetry.