Abstract: Lu Xun’s modern national consciousness germinated under the fierce collision between China and the West in political, economic, and cultural areas. Meanwhile, his consciousness was not only based on the serious national social crisis in the late Qing Dynasty and the decline of his family, but also nourished by the patriotic spirit in the traditional culture. Therefore, the understanding of germination of Lu Xun’s national consciousness is helpful to realize his enlightenment, nationalistic critique, and the left-leaning opinions in his later life. It is also of great significance to explore Lu Xun’s relations with politics.

Key words: Lu Xun, national crisis, family decline, patriotic ideas