周敦頤的〈愛蓮說〉膾炙人口，但其中的「蓮」字，究竟指荷抑為睡蓮，歷來莫衷一是。 筆者從幾個方面考察，主張周敦頤愛的「蓮」應是葉片貼浮水面的睡蓮。本文先從區別荷與睡蓮在植物學上的異同開始討論，其次論佛教經典所盛稱的「蓮」指睡蓮。之後，回顧〈愛蓮說〉的詮釋史，再依文本論周敦頤所指也是睡蓮。最後則論周敦頤的企圖是將「蓮」從佛法的意象轉化為儒家「君子」品格的意象。 如果此說成立，讀〈愛蓮說〉者，不應只視該文為一篇精緻可愛的小品，而應體認此文的寫作動機與深層的文化意涵。

Zhou Dunyi’s “The Love for Lotus” enjoys great popularity. However, no conclusion has been reached whether the word “lotus” refers to Nelumbo nucifera (蓮, 荷) or Nymphaea alba (睡蓮). Judging from different perspectives, I suggest that the flower Zhou refers to should be Nymphaea alba, whose leaves float on water surface. My argument begins with the botanical similarities and dissimilarities between Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea alba. Also, in Buddhist texts, the word “lotus” always refers to Nymphaea alba. Looking back at the past interpretations of “The Love for Lotus”, what the text refers to is also Nymphaea alba. Zhou attempts to transfer the image of lotus from the symbol of Buddhism to that of virtue of the Confucian ideal nobleman (君子). If my argument sustains, “The Love for Lotus” should not only be read as a lovely, delicate piece; readers also have to look for deeper motivation and cultural significance.