Abstract: The genres consciousness refers to the literati's comprehensive, accurate and clear understanding of the characteristics of a certain literary style, and their conscious abiding by these principles in writing. Against the background of the revival discussion of Chinese ancient literary consciousness since 1990, the genres consciousness of Chinese ancient literature is defined. The author puts forward "genres" consciousness to replace "literature" consciousness. According to the author, genres consciousness conforms to the actual development of Chinese literature; it's also consistent with the characteristics of Chinese literary theory; it is theoretically possible. The standard for genres consciousness mainly covers the following four points: stylistic independence, systematic integrity and technical perfection; the appearance of writers with a particular literary style; a large number of readers, the enormous social influence and the important cultural status; massive exploration of social life. Genres consciousness is differently and conspicuously demonstrated in poems, essays, dramas and fictions separately in Jian'an, the Mid-Tang Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty, the Mid-Tang Dynasty.