Chickens, dogs and pigs are common in Neolithic cultural sites, which are related to the settled agricultural production methods. Horses, cattle and sheep are mostly found in bronze age cultural sites, which are related to nomadic lifestyle. During the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, six animals gradually appeared, indicating the mixture of agricultural culture settled in the East and nomadic culture in the West. Pig is the most important livestock in Neolithic Age in East Asia, and it is a symbol of settled agricultural culture. Horse is a symbol of nomadic culture, and it has been a noble animal since the Bronze Age. The concept of six animals began to appear in the literature of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

"Cows can plow fields, horses can carry loads, sheep can offer sacrifices, chickens can break dawn, dogs can keep vigil to prevent accidents, and pigs can entertain guests." Animals represented by six kinds of animals have great practical value. The ancients listed horses, cows and sheep as three major products. Cattle and horses only eat forage, but they bear the heaviest daily labor in human life and should be respected. In the Tang Dynasty, in order to ensure agricultural production, the rulers issued orders to reduce sacrifices in major sacrificial activities. As old friends who attach the most importance to sacrifice, they lowered the sacrifice specifications and stopped using cattle sacrifice.

As the only carnivore among the "six animals", dogs have been domesticated by humans for about/kloc-0.5 million years to about 8000 years. Although its practical value is getting less and less in the development of history, it has never left people, and has been accompanied by the common development of mankind, from hunting, transportation and housekeeping to helping mankind to becoming spiritual partners now.

Although cats are six kinds of animals, they were introduced to China only after Sai Zhang was introduced to the Western Regions. However, there are many records in the history of China. After human beings settled down, there was a surplus of food, followed by rats, and rat-catching cats came to people. In modern cities, mice can no longer enter our homes to find food, and more mice migrate to the edge of the city to mingle with human domestic garbage. However, most cats do not leave human homes to pursue these favorite foods, but as human pets and family members, they are parasitic in human society.

With the development of the times, six kinds of animals have left most people's lives and turned to processed food, and six kinds of animals have remained with people in a spiritual way. Human development always needs different things. The ancients needed enough materials a few years ago. After many years, we need their company and spiritual help more.