Traditional Chinese art theory has predominantly concentrated on interpreting the artist’s temperament and the audience’s perception of the artwork’s overall style. However, there remains substantial potential to explore the theoretical frameworks concerning the stylistic types, patterns, and connotations of art forms, as well as the methodologies and systems that define these styles. This exploration serves as the stylistic gene that enables traditional Chinese art to be continuously excavated, created, and reshaped, ensuring its enduring vitality and freshness over time. By examining the historical progression and selecting “forms” as the central theme, this study investigates the development of the theory of forms as a phenomenon of artistic style types from the Tang and Song to the Late Qing dynasties. Through a systematic review of theories in calligraphy, painting, music, opera, and drama across these periods, the research identifies the discursive paradigms and evolutionary mechanisms of artistic forms theories. Furthermore, it outlines the construction methods of ancient Chinese artistic style types, offering a potential approach for theoretical research in art history and contributing to the compilation of a comprehensive art history.