In this study, a series of cyclic triaxial tests were performed on intact lean clay samples from a highway construction site. Various combinations of static and cyclic stress levels, loading frequencies, over -consolidation ratios of soil samples and stress histories were adopted by single- and multi -stage loadings. The results show that three patterns are identified for the development of permanent deformation and residual pore water pressure of the soil samples: quickly stabilized (QS), progressively developing (PD), and dramatically failed (DF). These three patterns are significantly influenced by the stress levels, the over -consolidation ratios of soil samples and the stress histories, while the effect of the loading frequency is limited. Following these three patterns, the cyclic stability diagrams are proposed for soil samples with and without stress histories. The stable, metastable and unstable zones in the cyclic stability diagram correspond to the QS, PD and DF patterns, respectively. To maintain the soil at the stable state, the loading conditions are suggested to be controlled in the stable zone. Furthermore, to enhance the cyclic stability of the soil, the stress history with a relatively low increment of cyclic stress amplitude is beneficial.