Fabrication of patterned one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures was recognized as the key process for the construction of functional display devices. In current investigation, we put forward the large-scale and uniform growth of patterned 3C-SiC nanowire arrays assisted by the patterned Au catalysts on SiC wafer substrate. The as-fabricated SiC nanowires presented tapered configuration with a typical bamboo-like body as well as clear and sharp tips. The as-fabricated SiC nanoarray cathode has outstanding field emission (FE) characteristic that has a low turn-on field (E-to) of1.54V/m. The mechanism for their electron emission behaviors has been proposed.