Abstract: The formative tectonic environment of the South Qinling in the Devonian has been a focal item in a long time.By study of tectonic background,comprehensive comparison of the sedimentary and geochemical characteristics,the prototype basins were recognized in the South Qinling.The Devonian prototype basins included the peripheral foreland basins in East Qinling,the peripheral foreland basins(northern part)and new-born oceanic basins(southern part)in West Qinling and,at the same time,a new-born aulacogen was developed in between the East Qinling and the Yangtze plate(Gaochuan),which was divided by the Foping uplift.All the above basins were juxtaposed in space.