Welcome to this edition of China Lifestyle Journeys, the series that brings you chats, discussions and insights on all aspects of Chinese living. We will cover festivals, food, traditions, customs and much, much more. I’m your host Jocelyn … and I’m Mat, just an English guy with lots of questions.

So, Mat, what’s your big question today?

(Mat)

Hello and welcome to another episode. Today we're going to be exploring the topic of bamboo, now I will be honest, when I first saw the title of this episode ‘bamboo’ my reaction was, ‘bamboo?’ How can we do a whole episode on the topic of bamboo. It’s a plant, and pandas eat it. And that’s it. End of episode. So Jocelyn, tell me, how are we going to do a whole episode on bamboo?

(Jocelyn)

Well, I can understand why you might think that, but bamboo is actually a fascinating plant that has been really important in Chinese culture for many centuries. It has been used for everything from building materials to food, medicine, musical instruments and it’s really important in art and literature. So, don’t worry, we’ve got lots to explore when it comes to bamboo.

(Mat)

I’m still not sure. You haven’t really convinced me. When I think about bamboo I still just see a plant that pandas eat. So please, tell me what I’m missing.

(Jocelyn) 

OK – let’s start with symbolism. In Chinese culture, bamboo is a very important symbol. It stands for strength, resilience, and flexibility. It's like a strong person who can bend without breaking. Bamboo also represents other good qualities, like honesty, loyalty, and friendship.

So you can see the symbol of bamboo in many different parts of Chinese culture. It's in art, like paintings and calligraphy, and in things like ceramics or textiles as well as classical literature and poetry.  

Also, bamboo is associated with virtue of filial piety in Chinese culture. This is the idea that children should respect and care for their parents and grandparents, and it’s also considered one of the most important virtues in Chinese society.

In Chinese folklore, bamboo is often used as a symbol of filial piety because of its strength and flexibility. Just like how bamboo is strong enough to withstand harsh weather conditions, it also represents the strength and resilience needed to care for aging parents and grandparents. Additionally, the flexibility of bamboo reflects the idea that children should be able to adapt to their parents' changing needs and sacrifice their own interests for the well-being of their family.

Have I convinced you yet Mat? I can keep talking if you need more.

(Mat)

Wow, I think we could probably do two episodes on bamboo. But let’s just finish this one first. So, I see how bamboo is important as a symbol in Chinese culture. Now I understand the symbolism of filial piety, but you mentioned something to do with literature and poetry. Do you mean that people actually wrote poems about bamboo and stories about bamboo in traditional Chinese literature?

(Jocelyn)

Sure, there’s a type of poetry actually called ‘bamboo poetry’. It’s a well-known traditional style that focuses on the beauty and symbolism of bamboo. It became popular during the Tang Dynasty and continued to be written throughout the following centuries. These poems often describe the physical appearance of bamboo and its symbolic meanings in Chinese culture. They may also use metaphors to explore deeper themes related to human nature and the natural world.

One famous bamboo poem is "Bamboo and Rocks" by the poet Su Shi. And his poem explores the relationship between the strength of rocks and the gentle swaying movement of bamboo, meaning that being able to bend and adapt to different situations is just as important as being strong and staying firm in your beliefs. It's like how a bamboo tree can bend with the wind but not break, showing how it's important to be flexible and resilient in life.

(Mat)

Wow, to be honest, I had no idea that one plant, bamboo could inspire so much creativity. I’m quite impressed. So we’ve looked at symbolism in the creative arts, what’s the next thing we can explore relate to bamboo?

(Jocelyn)

Well, have you ever eaten bamboo? It’s quite an important ingredient in many classic Chinese dishes.

(Mat)

Emm, I’m not sure. Have I had it? I don’t remember ever ordering bamboo in a restaurant. 

(Jocelyn)

You may have tried a popular dish in China, Guangxi province called bamboo rice,竹筒饭. And it’s made with a hollowed bamboo tube filled with sticky rice and meat. And the bamboo container gives the rice a delicious almost sweet flavour. Bamboo shoots can be used in lots of other dishes, such as stir-fried dishes. I’m guessing that you’ve had  鱼香肉丝 before?

(Mat)

Yes of course, many times, it’s one of my favourites.

(Jocelyn)

Well bamboo is an important ingredient in that dish too. So, do you see Mat? We’ve already finished a whole episode on bamboo and we could probably talk on for even longer.

(Mat)

Yeah I’m quite surprised at how important a simple plant can be. It’s a really impressive cultural icon.

Well, that’s it for today. We hope you enjoyed this episode, thanks for listening. We hope to see you again next time. Until then, goodbye. Stay wise.

竹子是一种多年生的禾本科木质常绿植物，在我国生长的历史悠久，分布广泛，与中国传统文化有十分密切的关系。由于竹子高耸挺拔，冬夏常青，中空有节，质地坚硬，它的这些自然秉性，对于善于以物明志，借物抒怀的民族来说，从中产生了丰富的启迪和联想。

竹子有“节”，这个“节”字和传统伦理观念中所讲究的节操、贞节、气节的“节”同字多义。人们喜欢用竹子有节来比喻人有气节，竹子空心，即虚心，谦虚自抑，虚怀若谷。这是我们民族所崇尚的一种美德。金人王寂在《次韵郭解元病竹二首》中写道：“生死挺然终抱节，荣枯偶尔本无心。比肩耻与蒿莱伍，强项不容冰雪侵。”这是赞竹，更是赞人；是自勉，也是勉人。然而，在中国历代文人咏竹名句中最为人传诵的是郑板桥的一首题所画“竹石”诗；“咬定青山不放松，立根原在破岩中。千磨万击还坚劲，任尔东西南北风。”诗中竹子坚韧不拔，泰然自若，是诗人正气凛然的象征。此外，竹子在中国传统文化中还有翠绿长青等多种文化意象。

可是，竹子（bamboo）在西方文化中并没有什么特別涵义，仅是一种植物而已，因为竹子常常与大熊猫的形象一起出现，是大熊猫的主要食物，他们大概也能将竹子和大熊猫联系起来。由于竹子主要生长在热带、亚热带和暖温带地区，在英国比较罕见，一般的英美人对竹子的生长了解甚少。汉语中竹子的文化意象未必能在英美人的头脑中产生某种联想。

摘自《竹（bamboo）的文化含义及翻译》