Abstract: In order to research acoustic emission (AE) characteristics during instability and failure of prefabricated fissure rock, uniaxial compression AE test of prefabricated fissure rock with different inclination angles was carried out, and deformation and failure characteristics of prefabricated fissure rock and variation law of AE signals were analyzed. The results show that with the decrease of prefabricated fissure inclination angle, compressive strength of rock specimens gradually decreases, time to reach the peak stress gradually shortens, axial strain during rock failure gradually decreases, and specimen changes from tensile splitting failure to shear sliding failure. With the decrease of prefabricated fissure inclination angle, the time when the peak of AE energy and ringing count first appear in specimen is advanced and the axial stress required for loading decreases. The cumulative AE ringing count shows a nonlinear upward trend with the increase of loading time, and the smaller the prefabricated fissure inclination angle is, the faster the cumulative AE ringing count rises.