Self-centering dual rocking core (SDRC) system was developed to improve the seismic relicense of the buildings. However, analysis of the multi-story and high-rise rocking SDRC systems revealed that the higher mode effects led to amplified force demands in the structural members, hence worsening the seismic performance of the structures. To elucidate the working mechanism of the higher mode, analyze the dynamic characteristics of the SDRC systems, and provide design suggestions for the SDRC systems accounting for the higher mode effects, this paper proposed a novel simplified distributed parameter model. Based on the developed simplified model, the modal shape and the characteristic equation of the SDRC system were solved to study the effects of the structural design parameters on the eigenvalues, modal shapes, and internal force distribution of the rocking cores. Based on the analysis results, some structural design recommendations were proposed.