Abstract: Existing hypotheses of the genesis (or the origin) of literature and arts, such as the renowned theory of "mimesis", of labor, of witchcraft, and of play, have made their due contribution, but none of them is entirely convincing. Equally important to the field of study are theories by the Russian scholar Alexander Veselovsky and Chinese scholars Lu Kan and Feng Yuanjun, who have been neglected by academics. It is probable that Giovanni Battista Vico's New Science is the closest to the truth of the origin of arts. Therefore, his ideas are still provocative. This article proposes another hypothesis: literature (poetry) is the product of human beings’ historical practices, which comes into being inevitably due to the desire and pursuit in man's innate nature. The most primal nature of poetry lies in the earliest language and words, wherein poetry comes into being. In other words, the earliest language and words are the most primal poetry, namely the earliest literary form.

Key words: Veselovsky, Lu Kanru, Feng Yuanjun, Vico, language and words, the genesis of literature