Abstract: Granite is a unique rock type on Earth, whose petrogenesis is inseparably linked to the formation and evolution of
continental crust. However, intense debates have long existed within the geological community regarding the mechanisms of granite formation, the modes of continental crust growth, and the intrinsic connections between these processes. On the basis of the geochemical evolution of crust-mantle systems, this paper presents a systematic review on frontier advancements, core controversies, and future directions in studies of granite genesis and continental crust growth. The main content encompasses two end-member paradigms for granite petrogenesis (mantle differentiation vs. crustal anatexis), the spatiotemporal evolution of crustal growth rates, complexities of magmatism in collisional orogens, potentials and limitations of zircon isotope tracing, as well as critical reflections on methodological approaches. A holistic analysis reveals a complex dialectical relationship between granite petrogenesis and continental crust growth: granites can serve as the direct record of crustal growth (mantle-derived
magma differentiation) or the product of crustal reworking (crustal anatexis). These two mechanisms carry fundamentally different implications for formation and evolution of the continental crust but are often indistinguishable based merely on either elemental ratios or isotopic ratios alone. Future research requires clarifying core concepts, developing integrated geochemical proxies, prioritizing process-oriented investigations, embracing uncertainties, and transcending paradigmatic boundaries. 

Key words: Granites, continental crust, mantle differentiation, crustal anatexis, geochemical tracing