Disclosed is a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery which is prepared by mixing graphite powder with a binder. The negative electrode comprises graphite with an intensity ratio I(110)/I(002) of 0.5 or more wherein I(002) is an X-ray diffraction peak intensity I(002) at a (002) plane and I(110) is an X-ray diffraction peak intensity I(110) at a (110) plane The negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery has enhanced discharge capacity and cycle life characteristics.