Abstract: Based on the first order shear deformation theory and Hamiltonian principle, the governing equations and boundary conditions of rotating multi-layer annular plate were derived. The analysis on dynamic characteristics of traveling waves for the rotating multi-layer annular plate is presented in this paper by means of Galerkin method. The frequencies of the forward and backward traveling waves for the rotating plate depend upon the rotating speed, and the geometrical and material parameters of the plate are obtained numerically. The effects of geometrical and material parameters on the critical speed of the rotating multi-layer annular plate instability are discussed in detail.