Abstract: The paper argues that ci (poetic prose) and fu (rhymed prose) were two different genres, each originated from its oral tradition. Ci, a form of poetic prose, originated from various stylistic writings such as ritual presentation on sacrifice and historical events and ambassadors' orations, while Encountering Sorrow by Qu Yuan (343-278 BC) and Nine Songs from the Songs of the South from were related with them. Ci and Fu became merged into one genre at the hands of Song Yu (ca. 298-222 BC), Tang Le (ca. 290-223 BC) and Jia Yi (200-168 BC), and to the time of the Han Dynasty, the Great Fu (rhapsody) became to replace the general term of Ci-Fu. The paper argues that ci and fu are not only two different styles but also two different genres, and they each had different ways of composition at different stages of development. Fu, after taking place the earlier general term of Ci-Fu, developed in the Han Dynasty into the earliest form of the refined writing (literati's writing) and represented the highest aesthetic pursuit of the men of letters.

Key words: Ci (poetic prose); Fu (rhymed prose), ritual presentation, Chu Ci (Verses of the South), the Han-Dynasty rhapsody