The pre-Qin literature that appeared with the appearance of characters was not pure literature. In the pre-Qin period, culture presented a comprehensive form. Some literary works in the pre-Qin period were historical or philosophical works. Historical and philosophical works are also full of literary significance. In the Spring and Autumn Period, it is still difficult to distinguish the responsibilities of fathers in Chu, because both Wu and Zhu have historical responsibilities, which shows that Wu and Zhu have no distinction between history and witchcraft. According to Sima Qian's Preface to Taishi Gong, Zhuan Xu once ordered Nanzheng (official name) to be in charge of heaven and Beizheng (official name) to be in charge of land, namely astronomy and sacrifice. From Tang Yu to Zhong, Li and others' descendants all inherited this responsibility. When he was in office, the descendants of Zhong and Li lost their hereditary official positions and became Sima, who was in charge of Zhou history from generation to generation. From here, we can see the differentiation process between historiography and witchcraft. According to Shang Shu Hong Fan, the ideology of "Five Elements" has been formed in Shang Dynasty, and the Yi Gua compiled in the early Zhou Dynasty has the concept of "Yin and Yang". During the Yin and Zhou Dynasties, the culture of China experienced revolutionary changes. The concept of "morality" sprouted in Shang Dynasty and developed in Zhou Dynasty, forming the idea of respecting morality and protecting people. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, cultural and academic thoughts were unprecedentedly active, forming a situation in which a hundred schools of thought contend. As a result, hundred schools of thought's reasoning prose, which explores the life of the universe, makes philosophical speculation, pays attention to social politics and explores the way of governing the country, has matured. These historical and philosophical papers are very literary. Historical essays such as Zuo Zhuan, Guoyu and Warring States Policy are rich in content, and various literary techniques are used in writing, which basically have the characteristics of narrative literature and lay the foundation for our narrative literature tradition. Most reasoning essays do not discuss political and life issues in a philosophical way, but show distinctive personality, rich emotions, rich images and high literary value.
Pre-Qin poetry experienced an obvious development process, from religious hymns, prayer poems to political narrative poems, and then to lyric poems. Religious hymns, prayers, prayers, such as rhyme in Oracle Bone Inscriptions, divination in the Book of Changes, rhyme in Zhong Ding inscriptions, etc. Political narrative poems, such as most of Confucianism, a small part of Xiaoya's ode poems, etc. ; The lyrics are very similar to most and all ethnic styles in Xiaoya. These poems either cherish the memory of ancestors, satirize current politics or chant temperament, which laid the development direction of China's poems.
Different from the Central Plains, the bronze wares of Southern Chu appeared later and the ironware appeared before the Central Plains. Iron was one of the most advanced productive forces at that time, which indirectly promoted the development of Chu culture in the Warring States period. Judging from the lines on lacquerware, embroidery patterns on silk fabrics and silk paintings that can be seen now, the exquisite craftsmanship and artistic modeling have reached a very high level. It is this culture that gave birth to "Chu Ci". Qu Yuan said, "I am so tired from my back that I am so angry that I feel lyrical." ("Nine Chapters of Songs of the South") "Thinking is tribute and words are salvation." On the basis of Chu folk customs, folk customs and polls, Qu Yuan "was inspired by the Book of Songs (Wang Yi's preface to Lisao Jing) and drew lessons from the artistic spirit and techniques of the Book of Songs to create the magnificent Poem of Qi Wei, which laid the foundation of the wind together with the Book of Songs.