Previous studies have shown that graphitization has a good correlation with metamorphic temperature conditions. The laboratory friction experiments also indicate that even a small amount of graphite can effectively reduce the friction resistance of faults. Therefore, it is considered as a solid lubricator, which plays an important role in fault weakening. However, due to limitation of technical methods, their macro- and microscopic structure, deformation- metamorphic environment and their contribution to the rheological behavior of graphite- bearing rocks in the natural fault zone remain unclear. On the basis of detailed field geological observations, this study focuses on the graphite- bearing rocks in the southeastern part of the Ailaoshan complex in the Cenozoic Ailaoshan- Red River (ASRR) fault zone. The technical methods of optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and Raman spectra are mainly used to comprehensively analyze the deformation behavior of macro- and microstructure, the graphite Raman temperature, the mineral lattice preferred orientation (LPO) and the deformation- metamorphic conditions. Graphite Raman spectra geothermometer results show that the Raman peak temperature of graphite- bearing rocks in the study area is 530~460 ℃. Graphite, matrix quartz and plagioclase developed obvious lattice preferred orientations. The graphite and quartz show strong slip system in the direction of (0001) . The development of fine- grained graphite slip system together with feldspar and quartz plays an important role in the plastic flow deformation of the whole rock and rheological weakening.