Stratiform copper deposits, as the world's most important copper source next to porphyry copper, have several different genetic mechanisms, and whether their origin is syngenetic or epi-genetic has been disputed for a long time. In this paper, three genetic models of stratiform copper deposits, i. e. the "sedimentation-diagenesis", "sedimentary-exhalation" and "sedimentation-reworking", are proposed for the first time based on the author's own work as well as a synthetical study and compilation of data from extensive literature all over the world. Different characteristics and mechanisms of these models and their mutual relations are discussed; thus the essential relation between syngenetic and epigenetic processes are preliminarily clarified. The author pays special attention to the "sedimentation-reworking" model for stratiform copper deposits and gives detailed description and discussion on it in order to emphasize the importance of this genetic model.