Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling light attributes of a lighting device, and a lighting system and includes an indicator that receives an input, and sends to a control unit, a signal for switching light attribute of the lighting device; and the control unit determines whether a first switching signal or a second switching signal from the indicator is received during a light emission period after the lighting device is powered on, and if it is determined that the first switching signal is received, switching a current light attribute to another light attribute, or if it is determined that the second switching signal is received, switching the current light attribute to a light attribute indicated by the second switching signal such that when a specific light attribute is indicated by the second switching signal, the light attribute can still be adjusted with the first switching signal.