All things have a story...
The bamboo tree has been a staple of the Asian culture and economy for more than several thousand years. Its intriguing nature lies in the fact that it is hollow inside. A species of grass, but having more the characteristics of a tree, bamboo is a unique entity in nature. It is pliant and bends with the wind while remaining incredibly strong and durable. Bamboo has been an indispensible part of the Chinese culture, in particular, and has many different uses. Besides being used to make homes, boats, fortresses, and weapons, the Chinese have been using it in their artwork for a long time. Besides being used to make handicrafts, such as in framed bamboo art, decorative lamps, painted wall fans, Chinese umbrellas, furniture, etc., bamboo is also a major art theme painted on decorative products. The Chinese have always had a love and reverence for nature, and they believe bamboo to be one of the most beautiful forms of it. Bamboo stalks have been painted on Chinese scrolls, umbrellas, paintings, shoji screens, pottery, lamps and porcelain for centuries. Much of the early artwork with bamboo themes can be found in Buddhist temples, as Buddhism encouraged a love of nature – as did Taoism. These two religions inspired artists in China, and other countries such as Japan, Vietnam and Thailand, to take inspiration from nature, which included the bamboo. The abundant growth of bamboo throughout Asia has made it one of the most recognizable Asian icons in its artwork, along with the cherry blossom. Today, bamboo is still a very popular feature in Asian artwork and its allure and beauty are as strong now as it was in ancient China.
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