Nonlinear dynamic characteristics of rubbing phenomenon in rotor dynamics are investigated experimentally and numerically. Rubbing phenomenon occurs when rotor contacts with stator during whirling and causes the large amplitude of vibration, high whirl frequencies, and possibly catastrophic failure. Rubbing has various types of forward whirl, backward rolling, backward slipping, and partial rub depending on the system parameters of rotating machinery and running speed. Experiments are performed for forward whirl and backward whirl. And numerical analysis are conducted to explain the changes between backward rolling and backward slipping. Experimental and numerical results show that the types of whirling motion depends on the friction coefficient between rotor and stator and the eccentricity of rotor.