Abstract: mathematical concepts and methods contain rich humanistic values. As part of the basic education, mathematics education plays a unique role in human development and has great significance for spiritual needs. An analysis of this unique role of mathematics education follows from the inevitable pursuit of its educational function. To realize the humanistic value of mathematics education is the requirement of the times when the exam-oriented education is being transformed into the liberal education, which provides a new perspective for the development of mathematics curriculum and reflects the trend of international curriculum reform integrating science education with humanistic education.