The interaction between berberine and tannin in aqueous solution was investigated spectrophotometerically. The dyeing mechanism of silk fabrics (control and tannin treated silk fabrics) with berberine was based on thermodynamic parameters obtained from equilibrium adsorption experiments. In adsorption spectra of aqueous solution of berberine and tannin mixture two isosbestic points (328nm, 357nm) were found and the mole fraction of reaction of components was 1:1. Initial dyeing rates were increased and the diffusion of dye was more effective by tannin treatment. Without regard to tannin treatment the adsorption isotherm of berberine was the langmuir type except high temperature, $80^circ{C}$. By tannin treatment the saturation dye uptake was increased, the increase of dye uptake appeared to be a result of entropy change rather than enthalpy change. All these results can be interpreted by the hydrophobic interaction between berberine and silk treated with tannin and it is reasonable to conclude that not only the ionic force, but also the hydrophobic interaction contributes to the binding of berberine and tannin treated silk treated with tannin.