Abstract:Following the rapid development of eco-industrial park projects in China, more and more debates appear in research and practice domains, which will influence the progress of Circular Economy. Theoretically, the concept of eco-industrial park is a kind of metaphor rather than a scientific definition. Considering this background, any unlimited utilization of a concept with metaphorical features may go to a misappropriation situation in its research and practice. Firstly, the paper figures out the “bidirectional metaphorical phenomenon” between sciences of industrial system and natural system. Then, it highlights advantages and weaknesses of using metaphorical concepts in scientific research. In view of the current situation of China, we summarize many concepts related to eco-industrial park and figure out its abusive utilization problem. Based on an analysis on its cultural background, some suggestions are provided to overcome the problem. Finally, the paper illustrates a case study about how to use this metaphorical concept in a research on the stability of industrial symbiosis.