A method for the preparation of lutein crystals with a higher content of zeaxanthin from a plant oleoresin, comprising the following steps: a) mixing a lutein diester-containing plant oleoresin with a food-grade alcohol solvent, stirring the mixture to form a homogenous freely flowing mixed solution, and then saponifying the mixed solution for 3 to 5 hours under a basic environment at a temperature from 40 to 85°C; b) further adding an organic solvent and an emulsifier to the mixed solution obtained in step a), and then stirring the mixed solution uniformly; c) dropwise adding a strong base solution into the mixed solution obtained in step b), such that a part of the obtained lutein crystals are converted into zeaxanthin in an isomerization manner; d) diluting the reaction solution obtained in step c) by using a mixed solvent formed by deionized water and the alcohol solvent, such that a volume concentration of the solute in the solution is reduced to 10 to 15%, the amounts of the deionized water and the alcohol solvent being respectively 2 to 10 times and 0.5 to 2 times of the weight of the raw material plant oleoresin, then heating the solution to 60 to 75°C and slowly stirring the solution for 0.5 to 2 hours such that carotenoid forms granular crystals through precipitation; e) obtaining the crystals precipitated in step d) by means of centrifugation or filtration; f) rinsing the obtained crystals obtained in step e) for 2 to 3 times by using 60 to 85°C hot water, until the rinsed mother solution is approximately colorless; and g) before drying, washing the filter cake by using an absolute ethanol one time for crystallization, and then obtaining the lutein crystals by means of vacuum drying or freeze drying, having a final drying weight loss being less than 5%. a) mixing a lutein diester-containing plant oleoresin with a food-grade alcohol solvent, stirring the mixture to form a homogenous freely flowing mixed solution, and then saponifying the mixed solution for 3 to 5 hours under a basic environment at a temperature from 40 to 85°C; b) further adding an organic solvent and an emulsifier to the mixed solution obtained in step a), and then stirring the mixed solution uniformly; c) dropwise adding a strong base solution into the mixed solution obtained in step b), such that a part of the obtained lutein crystals are converted into zeaxanthin in an isomerization manner; d) diluting the reaction solution obtained in step c) by using a mixed solvent formed by deionized water and the alcohol solvent, such that a volume concentration of the solute in the solution is reduced to 10 to 15%, the amounts of the deionized water and the alcohol solvent being respectively 2 to 10 times and 0.5 to 2 times of the weight of the raw material plant oleoresin, then heating the solution to 60 to 75°C and slowly stirring the solution for 0.5 to 2 hours such that carotenoid forms granular crystals through precipitation; e) obtaining the crystals precipitated in step d) by means of centrifugation or filtration; f) rinsing the obtained crystals obtained in step e) for 2 to 3 times by using 60 to 85°C hot water, until the rinsed mother solution is approximately colorless; and g) before drying, washing the filter cake by using an absolute ethanol one time for crystallization, and then obtaining the lutein crystals by means of vacuum drying or freeze drying, having a final drying weight loss being less than 5%.