Anybody knows why Chinese love bamboo?

xiangmo · Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 16 Location: London

yǎo dìng qīng shān bú fàng sōng，
咬定青山不放松,

lì gēn yuán zài pò yán zhōng 。
立根原在破岩中。

qiān mó wàn jī hái jiān jìn，
千磨万击还坚劲，

rèn ěr dōng xī nán běi fēng。
任尔东西南北风。

The Rock Bamboo

Zheng Xie (Qing)
The bamboo clings firmly to the mountain steep,
In the chasm of rock it plants its root so deep.
In spite of all beats, it stands still, not bending low,
Whether from east, west, south or north the wind does blow.

Comment

Plain, lively but forceful, the poem vividly depicts
the bamboo grove growing strong and stout in the
hostile environment, which symbolizes independence,
firmness and optimism. The bamboos take roots in the
chasms of rocks at the mercy of the elements, but "cling
firmly to the mountain steep". The word "?" fully
shows the tenacity of the bamboos and "?", their
bravery, generosity, steadfastness and high confidence.