Abstract: Dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) is widely used as a convenient low-temperature plasma source. Columnar discharge is a common form of helium dielectric barrier glow discharge, which generates various self-organizing patterns under certain conditions. Consequently, quasi-parallel gap and oblique gap DBD experiments in atmospheric-pressure helium were carried out. Discharge images were taken, voltage and circuit current waveforms were measured, and the evolution phenomenon and mechanism of discharge column were studied. The oblique gap with gradient continuous electric field was designed for verifying the evolution of columnar discharge. The quasi-parallel gap columnar discharge during the increase of applied voltage can be divided into three forms as follows: the diffuse columnar discharge at the initial stage, the dense columnar discharge at the over-voltage stage, and the tentacled pattern in the transition process. The two columnar discharge forms have cross-period interaction. In the oblique gap, the discharge columns can be observed to be arranged in a directional pattern of fringe pattern. The essence of the pattern is that the discharge columns are generated regularly in a certain area in several discharge periods, resulting in a long exposure time or continuous luminous fringe under observation. The main factor affecting the directional arrangement of the discharge column is the relative strength of the radial and normal components of the electric field in the gap.