Detail of a Chinese ink painting. XVII century

Lacquer box painted with bamboo stems

Plants

A plant that plays a large role in East Asian art and symbolism. A symbol of grace, constancy, flexibility and plasticity, good upbringing, long-term friendship, longevity and blooming old age (evergreen constancy and “thinness”). Eastern symbol of perseverance, happiness and spiritual truth. Its hollow trunk symbolizes modesty. The personification of a perfect person who can bow before the storm, but then rise again.

Means longevity, filial virtue. One of the three trees that bloom in winter, along with plum and pine, is associated with winter (“three friends of winter”).

Bamboo was used to make tools for calligraphic writing, so it was a sacred plant for Buddhist and Taoist scholars and artists, who also highly valued its beauty. Sometimes a symbol of a scientist, proud and significant on the outside, but empty and insignificant on the inside.

Buddha emblem. The bamboo branch is an attribute of the meek Guan-yin, the goddess of mercy, an attribute of the compassionate bodhisattva Guan-ying and noble people in general..

Pieces of bamboo placed in the fire burst with a loud crack and drive out evil spirits. Due to its decorative effect and abundance of meanings, bamboo is readily depicted in drawings using the ink technique. Together with chrysanthemums, pine trees and blossoming plums - autumn-winter motifs; with a crane - a wish for a long life and happiness; with a swallow - the personification of friendship.

Its tubular, ringed stem was often seen as stages of initiation, steps on the path to higher knowledge. The seven-armed bamboo stick signifies the seven stages of initiation and witchcraft.

Young bamboo shoots emerging from the ground symbolize eternal youth and indomitable strength. Mature bamboo represents devotion and truthfulness.

Mesoamerica

In South America, where bamboo was used to make cutting tools; weapons for throwing poisoned arrows; musical instruments used during sacred rituals, some tribes revered it as the Tree of Life.

Bamboo was used in Africa for circumcision.

Bamboo is black. Magical plant of the Antilles; used by black sorcerers as a love filter. It is irreplaceable as an “attractive plant”.

Bamboo / bamboo

In Japan, the bamboo, along with the pine and the plum, is one of the three trees of good omen.

Under the influence of Ch"an Buddhism during the Chinese Sung Dynasty, the bamboo was one of the favorite subjects for the painter. Yet to paint it was more than mere art, it was a spiritual exercise. The bamboo"s incomparable straightness, its perfect upspringing to the sky, the space between the KNOTS in its stem - an image of shunyata, or "voidness of heart" - symbolize the character and the objectives of the meditative practices of Buddhists and especially of Taoists. Nor should it be forgotten that for some Masters, the rustle of bamboos was the signal of enlightenment. Paintings of bamboos come close to calligraphy as expressions of a liying language, but one which can only be approached through intuitive perception.

There are various other aspects of the bamboo. It was used to drive off evil influences, less from any symbolic cause than from the fact that the wood goes off with a sharp crack when placed on the fire. The bamboo clump, the classic barrier, was often depicted as "the jungle of sinners" through which the TIGER, symbol of the spiritual force of Buddhism, alone can thread its way. A Tang Dynasty writer identifies the bamboo with the SERPENT, into which, apparently, it can easily change itself with seemingly beneficial effects. The duality of male and female bamboo is a symbol of mutual attachment and conjugal unity. Many writers mention bamboo with three or nine knots: these items suggest a purely numerical symbolism (BELT, CHOO, CROC).

The Bamum and Bamileke have a chip of bamboo which they call a guis (laugh) which is their symbol of happiness, the unadorned happiness of life free from illness and care.

In equatorial Africa and in the same latitudes in South America a sliver of fire-hardened bamboo plays the same civilizing influence as the sliver of flint or OBSIDIAN in stone-based cultures, especially in Mexico. It is the instrument of sacrifice and is used especially by medicine men in the rites of CIRCUMCISION.

The nomadic Yanomami of southern Venezuela use the bamboo for the heads of their war arrows, and as knives and fire-sticks. Their neighbors, the Yekuana, related to the Caribs, use it as an instrument of religious music. In their language it is called the uana (clarinet) and it should be observed that the chief festival at which this instrument "talks" is called uauana\ the Demiurge, or culture-hero, invoked at this ceremony is named Uanaji. The full meaning of uana for the Yekuana is "cosmic TREE" or "Tree of Life", the father of their mythic ancestor, Uanaji, and hence of all the Yekuana. The names of their clans all end with "uana", such as D^k-uana, Yek-uana.

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Bamboo in the house: superstitions and signs

Bamboo in the home is very valued in home floriculture, signs and superstitions of which will be discussed below. It is necessary to distinguish between bamboo and Dracaena sandera (which are not even in the same family); it is also called lucky bamboo. But we will talk about bamboo itself and the products in the manufacture of which it is used.

Bamboo will be an excellent decorative element in your apartment.

About bamboo

Bamboo is a plant from the grass family. Widely distributed in eastern countries, where it has found wide application from construction to decoration. The presence of indoor bamboo will give the design of the room an unusually beautiful look and create a cozy atmosphere. Or you can plant it in the garden, where it will also look beautiful.

Bamboo has a special place in Feng Shui due to its ability to create coziness in the home.

There are other reasons, besides beauty, to have such a plant at home. Even in ancient China, people noticed some features of bamboo that have a beneficial effect on all aspects of human life. That is why a lot of attention is paid to it in the teachings of Feng Shui. Many signs and superstitions are associated with it.

Bamboo is unpretentious, hardy, fast-growing, strong and strong, so it is considered a symbol of rapid growth in all areas and contributes to the gradual improvement of life and material well-being. With his strength and strength, he will help a person gain unbending willpower and cultivate discipline that will help him achieve his goals. Helps to lift your spirit during life's downfalls. It is believed that all wishes made will be fulfilled as quickly as bamboo grows. This plant is a good protector from all kinds of negative energy and a magnet for good energy.

If you are going to plant bamboo in the garden, it is better to purchase several types at once. This is what they do in his homeland, China. Each type of bamboo sounds differently from the wind, which creates a unique natural organ, and its presence in the garden will bring favorable energy.

If you keep the plant indoors, it will grow wonderfully both in the ground and in water. In the second case, the water needs to be monitored and changed regularly, since musty liquid is a source of bad energy. Or you can decorate the interior of your home with things made from bamboo, which will also be good sources of positive energy. It is undesirable to place such a plant in rooms with seriously ill people, as this can aggravate their condition.

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Where to place bamboo and how to use it

The number of stems planted in one container is of great importance.

2 stems mean a love relationship and a strong, happy marriage. Their ideal location would be the southwest of the room (the zone of love and marriage). 3 stems are a symbol of happiness. To improve your financial condition, 5 stems are planted, symbolizing an increase in cash flow. Located in the south-eastern part. For good health and longevity, use 7 stems and place them in the center of the apartment or house. If you use 8, then good luck awaits you in any of your endeavors. The number 8 symbolizes infinity - in happiness, love, money and other areas. You can place it anywhere. Bamboo with 9 stems attracts good luck in the area where it is located. 20 stems are tied with a red ribbon to strengthen friendship and love between loved ones. 21 stems also attract success to the area of ​​life on the side of the room on which the plant is located.

Under no circumstances should you use 4 stems; according to Feng Shui, this number means death.

Bamboo has a positive effect on the development and growth of a child.

Bamboo is placed near the bedrooms of small children - this promotes their rapid growth, mental and physical development.

With its help you can achieve harmony with the outside world. This is done through proper arrangement of the plant.

For harmony you need to use 5 elements:

1. Tree. This is what bamboo symbolizes.
2. Water. The one that is used for watering it.
3. Earth. The vessel or place where it is placed.
4. Fire. Represents the red ribbons that bind the plant.
5. Metal. Coins that are thrown into a vessel or tied to ribbons.

You can hang bells, flutes and sticks made from bamboo in your home. The last two products act as barriers to negative energy. The flute should be hung on a red cord at an angle so that the long sections are at the top and the short sections at the bottom. The sticks are tied with red thread and hung from the ceiling.

Wind chimes have a cleansing effect against negative energy. It is better to locate them in the east or southeast.

It is considered a good omen to both give and receive bamboo as a gift. Since such a gesture provides people with good luck and positive energy.

Bamboo in the house has signs associated mostly with happiness and goodness, so you can safely take it into your apartment or decorate the room with various decorations based on it.

The teachings of Feng Shui claim that bamboo in the house attracts good luck and prosperity. It is believed that this plant symbolizes longevity, vitality and help in difficult situations. That is why Feng Shui practitioners call it “lucky bamboo.”

Bamboo - Feng Shui meaning

The plant has very strong stems, which is why it personifies vitality and perseverance. Bamboo gives a person a sense of purpose, which many people sometimes lack.

In addition, it grows quite quickly, and therefore in the teachings of Feng Shui it also symbolizes accelerated growth in all areas of life, be it a career, improving personal life, achieving wealth or improving health. Even paintings depicting bamboo can harmonize a person’s life.

If you pay attention to the stem of the plant, you will notice that each subsequent part is longer than the previous one. This also plays an important role when interpreting the meaning of bamboo. This feature symbolizes harmonious and gradual development, when a person goes through it step by step.

Bamboo also protects the house and its owners from negative forces from the outside, and is capable of accelerating the fulfillment of desires.

If you decide to purchase bamboo for your home, choose a living plant and pay attention to the number of stems, each of which carries a special meaning.

2 stems. Favorable for building happy, harmonious relationships in which mutual respect, mutual support and unconditional love reign.

3 stems. If you want to find spiritual harmony and find happiness within yourself, which will not depend on external circumstances, buy bamboo consisting of three stems.

5 stems symbolize material well-being. The flow of money into your home will increase if you get a plant with five stems.

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7 stems. They will help you and your loved ones gain what no amount of money can buy - excellent health, excellent well-being and long life.

8 stems. They activate energy flows that are responsible for continuous development and growth in any area of ​​life. After all, the inverted number eight represents infinity.

9 stems. This is a symbol of good luck. If you want to become luckier and be surprised to discover every time that the events and circumstances of your life work out in the best way, 9 stems of bamboo are what you need.

20 stems are suitable for those who want to make family relationships more pleasant, warm and friendly. The effect of bamboo will be enhanced if you tie these stems with a red satin ribbon.

21 bamboo stalks are able to activate positive energies that you can direct into any area you wish - it all depends on what zone you place the plant in.

Where to put bamboo at home

Bamboo will have a beneficial effect on the circulation of positive energies in any corner of your home. However, if you feel that some area of ​​your life is significantly “lame,” then place the plant in a certain zone.

Eastern zone. This sector of your apartment is responsible for family happiness. If you place twenty stems of bamboo tied with a red ribbon here (this composition is called the “Tower of Love”), you will very soon notice how much your relationship with your family has improved.

South-eastern zone. A plant placed in this part of the house will lead you to financial well-being. Since the element of this sector is water, it would not be amiss to install here, next to the bamboo, photographs depicting water or talismans that personify the water element.

Southwestern zone. If you want to improve your relationship with your significant other or meet your love, buy a bamboo with two stems and place it in the southwestern sector of your apartment.

Follow the rules of caring for the plant, and then it will thank you generously.

First, monitor the quality of the water you feed your bamboo. It is advisable to purchase a special filter that will purify running water from chemical impurities. If this is not possible, pour water into a container and leave it for a day, preferably so that it receives sunlight during the day.

Secondly, promptly cut off stems that have turned yellow, darkened or begun to rot. Otherwise, they can infect their healthy “neighbors.”

Thirdly, sunlight can adversely affect the plant, because its natural growing conditions are dense shade in tropical forests. Place the bamboo in a room that receives minimal sunlight.

Fourth, remember that the water in the vase in which your bamboo grows should be changed weekly. If there are stones or pebbles in the vase, make sure that they are perfectly clean.

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Bamboo is an oriental symbol of perseverance, longevity, happiness and spiritual truth.

Growing bamboo symbolizes undying love, loyalty, reliability and good fortune of the family. This is a symbol of constant growth, power, and good health for the whole family. One of the most powerful symbols of longevity, bamboo gives strength in difficult circumstances and the ability to pass through any weather without loss.

Bamboo is a symbol of grace, constancy, flexibility and plasticity, good upbringing, long-term friendship, longevity and blooming old age (constantly green). Bamboo represents the perfect man who may bow before the storm, but then rise again.

For the Chinese, this plant means longevity, filial virtue, and also winter, since, along with plum and pine, bamboo is one of its three friends.

Sometimes, this is a symbol of a scientist who outwardly behaves proudly, but inside is emptiness and insignificance.

The seven-armed bamboo stick signifies the seven degrees of initiation and witchcraft.

Bamboo depicted with a swallow represents friendship; with a crane - a wish for a long life and happiness.

For the Japanese, bamboo symbolizes loyalty and truthfulness.

The hollow trunk of bamboo symbolizes modesty, and its evergreen immutability and “thinness” symbolize old age. Pieces of bamboo placed in the fire burst with a loud crack and drive out evil spirits.

In Buddhism, bamboo is a symbol of strength and flexibility - it helps restore the balance of yin and yang energies.

The bamboo branch is an attribute of the gentle Guan-yin, the goddess of mercy.

Bamboo grows throughout China, all the way to northern Beijing. It gained its reputation as a symbol of longevity due to its strength and durability. This plant, which is essentially a grass, grows taller than many trees and can grow almost anywhere and in any weather conditions, be it cold or hot.

Bamboo remains green throughout the year and blooms even in winter, giving it added values ​​of hardiness and protection. In winter, many Chinese houses are protected from the cold north wind by bamboo groves. Thus, a strip of bamboo in the northern part of the garden signifies protection.

When a strong wind blows, bamboo can obey the wind, adapt and bend under its pressure all the way to the ground, but after that it will straighten up again, as if nothing had happened! This is a great example of how to face life's difficulties - without betraying yourself. Such a wonderful metaphor for human life and nature, of course, inspires many calligraphers and artists.

Bamboo is readily depicted (together with chrysanthemums, pine trees and blossoming plums) in ink drawings.

If bamboo is depicted together with a crane, then this means a wish for a long life and happiness, with a swallow - the personification of friendship.

Bamboo in paintings always symbolizes summer, sincerity and strength. There are more than 140 varieties of bamboo, and any artist can find his favorite variety. In addition, the appearance of the plant is very dependent on the weather and time of year. Bamboo in the rain, bamboo under the snow, flowering bamboo, bamboo branches in the wind - these are favorite subjects of artists.

Famous Chinese polymath artists spent their entire lives perfecting the art of depicting bamboo. The colors chosen for bamboo were green, red or purple. However, it is believed that traditional black ink best conveys the shades of bamboo.

The nodes on the stem were often considered as steps on the path to higher knowledge.

In Japan, young bamboo shoots emerging from the ground symbolize eternal youth and indomitable strength.
The Chinese made flutes from bamboo and used them to call upon good spirits. To do this, it was necessary to carve the name of a good spirit on the flute and play an improvised melody on it.

Bamboo was used to fulfill wishes. To do this, it was necessary to cut out what you wanted to get on a piece of bamboo and bury it in the ground in a remote place.

For protection, a symbol of protection was cut out on bamboo and planted in the ground near the house. (Bamboo took root very easily and grew quickly). Bamboo growing near the house brought happiness to the inhabitants.

Bamboo was used to make tools for calligraphic writing, so it was a sacred plant for Buddhist and Taoist scholars and artists, who also highly valued its beauty.

There are many myths about different varieties of bamboo (and there are about a dozen of them):

Bamboo with a smooth, solid stem means life without disease or injury, because... Excellent health is associated with its strength.

Spotted bamboo symbolizes eternal love and fidelity as it is associated with the tears of the emperor's consort.

Prickly bamboo, which has more leaves than stems, will give its owner a long life in a happy family.

For those who strive for a successful career and creative longevity, we can recommend purchasing a classical Chinese painting depicting deciduous bamboo for your work or home office.

In ancient times, bamboo groves were associated with the chi of longevity, and today anyone who wants to attract this energy into their home can place indoor bamboo in a pot at the front of the house or the eastern sector of the garden. This sector belongs to the element of Wood, so it is ideal for placing living plants.

Bamboo in feng shui

Even the inhabitants of Ancient China drew attention to the fact that the presence of bamboo in the house attracts good luck and prosperity and gives the owner of the home longevity and health. Since then, the Chinese called it lucky bamboo.

Sometimes the most effective means of solving many problems is bamboo in Feng Shui, which is considered a source of life-giving force. Symbols of bamboo are security, longevity and strength. Chinese bamboo with straight and tall stems is very durable, it personifies a person of unbending will and great internal discipline. It gives strength in difficult life situations and the ability to overcome all troubles.

What does bamboo mean according to Feng Shui?

Bamboo is a plant characterized by fast growth and unpretentiousness. In Feng Shui, bamboo means rapid growth in all directions (career, study), gradual improvement in life, and material well-being. Strong and hardy, bamboo also symbolizes health.

If a panel, painting depicting bamboo or living bamboo is placed in the children’s area, then they will have good health and rapid physical and intellectual growth. Bamboo signifies the gradual, step-by-step and systematic improvement of life, since each successive section of bamboo is longer than the previous one.

Bamboo in any form (live plant or products made from stems) can gently change the flow of life. This plant is an unsurpassed protector of the home from any negative energy. With it, you will be reliably protected from evil spirits if it is in your apartment, and your wishes will come true as quickly as bamboo grows.

The Chinese plant several varieties of bamboo in their garden because each one sounds differently in the wind, causing the entire garden to sound like an organ.

Bamboo creates beneficial energy in the garden, and the melody created by the bamboo in the wind enhances yang.

The value of the number of stems of living bamboo

The value of the number of bamboo stems

Be sure to purchase live bamboo, it does not require special care, but will bring prosperous Feng Shui to your home or office. The unusual, original look of spirally twisted bamboo will decorate any interior. Chinese bamboo can grow in water or in soil. Make sure the water is clean - it should not stagnate, as according to Feng Shui this is an unfavorable sign. Change it periodically for a fresh one.

You can plant several stems in one wide container.

2 stems will symbolize love and marriage. Bamboo is a symbol of love, loyalty and devotion.

It is believed that 3 bamboo stems attract happiness to every home, while 5 - wealth.

7 bamboo stalks in one pot will give you health. Since the central part of the apartment is the health sector, bamboo should be placed there.

Bamboo of happiness with 8 stems will mean growth in any area (career, welfare).

Bamboo with 9 buy stems for good luck.

Can be connected together 20 bamboo stalks with red thread, and you will get a “Tower of Love” - a gesture of friendship and care. Red ribbons and threads enhance the magical properties of bamboo.

“Lucky bamboo” can be grown in vases, shallow trays, but to enhance its magical properties it is better to grow it in containers in the shape of a dragon, toad or turtle.

Location of the “lucky bamboo”

“Lucky bamboo”, located in the south, will bring fame and recognition, and in the east (family zone) - love, happiness and strengthening the family.

Plants placed in the southeast will attract wealth.

Any bamboo (indoor or outdoor) brings good luck. According to Feng Shui, bamboo can embody the harmony of all 5 elements at once, if created correctly.

The tree is a bamboo stalk. Water is the water in which it grows. The earth is the ceramic vessel in which it is located. Fire - red ribbons used to tie bamboo. Metal – coins that are attached to red ribbons or dropped into a vessel. If you manage bamboo correctly, it will help you live in peace and harmony with the world around you.

Decorate your kitchen with bamboo products: napkins, coasters, trays will fit perfectly into the kitchen interior and will be a source of energy.

Bamboo products

Bamboo is a symbol of good luck

Flutes, sticks and wind chimes are made from the hollow stems of dried bamboo. Flutes and sticks are neutralizers, which are created by protrusions in the apartment, sharp corners of furniture, overhanging shelves and ceiling beams. The bamboo flute is hung on a red cord at an angle so that the long sections of the flute are at the top and the short sections and the hole of the flute point down.

The flute can be used for other purposes:

• to create a barrier to negative energy, flutes are hung next to the door;
• to attract energy, flutes are hung at the head of the bed at an angle of 45°;
• if you need to redirect energy, you need to place them in the corridor (optionally in the attic, basement or right next to the stairs), orienting them in the desired direction. In addition to redirecting energy, they will additionally disperse positive energy throughout the apartment.

Bamboo sticks tied with red thread and suspended from the ceiling slow down the flow of chi in the long corridors of the house, trapping it.

Stems of bamboo with red ribbons can be placed above the front door, near huge windows, where negative energy that brings failure, chaos, problems is captured by bamboo and neutralized, and therefore things get better.

Bamboo wind chime

Bamboo wind chimes (or windmills) create vibrations in the air, which has a cleansing effect. In this way they reduce negative energy. It is better to place these wooden products in the east or southeast on the wind flow, so that when they hit each other, they periodically produce a pleasant sound. A bamboo mill “grinds” energy: part of it passes, part of it cuts off. It restrains negative energy and stimulates beneficial qi. Bamboo wind chimes can be hung in your home between the front door and the stairs leading to the second floor. This will restrain the rapid incoming flow of energy. Wind chimes will help retain energy in the house if the front door and the door to the patio of the house are opposite each other.

They are also hung in places where the flow of qi changes direction, since in this case it is necessary to smooth out sharp transitions of energy.

Bamboo as a gift

The Chinese believe so much in the power of this tree that every family has indoor bamboo.

There is a tradition of giving “lucky bamboo” to your friends on all holidays and celebrations, which is considered a true gift.

In this way, the Chinese provide a person with positive energy and wish him health and good luck. “Lucky bamboo” is given to both men and women because it is a symbol of yang, representing endurance, strength and courage.

Bamboo and products made from it are a universal feng shui symbol that can change your life for the better.