For some people, bamboo is simply a “green” material that’s perfect for construction and décor purposes. But while bamboo flooring is currently a popular trend in the decorating world, the plant itself has held far deeper meaning for the people of Asia for years.
Bamboo has an incredibly long lifespan. This has led it to be seen as representative of long life in China and friendship in India. Sometimes in Japan, visitors will find a bamboo forest growing around a Shinto shrine. These forests are considered to be a barrier against evil. It also isn’t unusual to find a bamboo grove alongside a Buddhist temple. There is a proverb in Vietnam that reads “When the bamboo is old, the bamboo sprouts appear”, referring to how future generations will carry on the life of the nation.
The next time you see a lucky bamboo plant in a shop or bamboo hardwood flooring in a home or office, take a moment to remember just how much this plant means to various peoples in the world.
