This paper proposes a novel fault diagnosis method for rotating machinery based on symptom parameters and Bayesian Network. Non-dimensional symptom parameters in frequency domain calculated from vibration signals are defined for reflecting the features of vibration signals. In addition, sensitive evaluation method for selecting good non-dimensional symptom parameters using the method of discrimination index is also proposed for detecting and distinguishing faults in rotating machinery. Finally, the application example of diagnosis for a roller bearing by Bayesian Network is given. Diagnosis results show the methods proposed in this paper are effective.