The Chinese Garden and the Japanese Garden can sometimes be grouped together as the Confucian garden. There are precise elements of beauty defined by Confucian philosophy that are striking and simple to observe. For example, it must show the balance of two major elements of nature: mountains and water. Rocks frequently represent mountain ranges. Plants and trees that figure significantly in Confucius teachings such as bamboos, cypresses, pines, irises, and plum blossoms loom largely in these gardens.
Bamboo is a symbol of resilience.
The bamboo represents many positive values in Chinese culture. Besides peace, it represents resiliency. Bamboos grow abundantly and profusely regardless of the condition of the soil. During a storm, the bamboo bends and rarely snaps. Bamboo grows fast, and its uses are countless. It is so pliable that it can carry heavy loads without breaking, carve into nontoxic vessels for food handling, and its leaves maintain tough enough to be woven into screens, bedding, rainwear, and shutters. Therefore, the bamboo earns its reputation as a symbol of resilience because Chinese see the bamboo persevering through hurricanes, droughts, and bad soil when floods wash away the rich topsoil. The meaning of the old Chinese saying that “The bamboo brings good news” is closest to the English adage, when life brings you lemons. No matter what terrible state your life is, think of the bamboo. It may bow its head against a storm, but it will rise again. So will you.
To read more about Chinese Gardens in general, click here.
