Abstract: The page number is one of the most inconspicuous but indispensable elements in modern books, but this element did not appear with books. The earliest symbol with partial function of page numbering in Chinese books probably was the Jian Hao（简号）in the era of the booklet, but the symbol was very different from the page number, and was not widely used. In the first few hundred years after the paper age, scrolls, the main form of Chinese books, did not use any page numbers. The most used page number was in the form of Fanjiazhuang (Buddhist-classic binding), but also not widely used. The reappearance of the foliation on Chinese books may have been derived from block printing, and its function is to ensure that the paper is in order. As the symbol became popular, page numbers had a deep impact on the reading and utilization of books. However, Chinese books independently generated pagination system has certain defects compared with the Western pagination system. In modern times, with the introduction of Western civilization, the page numbering system on Chinese books was gradually replaced.