The invention discloses a method for purifying 1, 4-dihydroxy anthraquinone by sublimation under high vacuum. The method comprises the following preparation steps: feeding; dehydrating and fusing; purifying by sublimation; cooling and condensing; opening a tank, collecting and weighing after cooling is finished; and producing a next batch of 1, 4-dihydroxy anthraquinone. By the method provided by the invention, other chemical raw materials are not added, chemical reaction does not exist, waste water does not exist either, a small amount of waste gas can be adsorbed and removed by activated carbon, waste residues are incinerated by qualified units, and therefore, emission of the waste gas, the waste water and the waste residues is avoided basically. Compared with purification by a chemical method and a solvent method, the method has the advantages that the purity of the product is high (greater than or equal to 99%, the yield is high (greater than or equal to 97%), and is environmentally friendly; and secondary pollution is avoided. In addition, the invention further discloses a honeycomb sublimator which is designed according to the principle of infinitesimal. Compared with a reaction kettle type sublimator, the honeycomb sublimator has the features that sublimation time is shortened by more than 5 times, and energy is saved by 70%.