You hear a lot about the luck a Bamboo plant brings, and how it increases the Feng Shui in our homes—it is a great gift during Chinese New Year. But what some people don’t know is that the ‘Lucky Bamboo’ plant is actually not really a Bamboo. It is a type of Lily that grows in the rainforests of South East Asia and Africa. The ‘Lucky Bamboo’ plant has been part of the Chinese culture for more than 4,000 years, and used as a symbol for good fortune. The Chinese believe this little plant can bring good luck, wealth and happiness. It must be kept away from direct sunlight, grown in a clean container that has water and rocks to support the plant.
A real bamboo plant (as seen on our cover), on the other hand, is a perennial flowering plant (though they seldom flower) and contains hollow inter-nodal regions in the stem. The biodegradable bamboo is respected by the Chinese because it can withstand seasonal changes and lives a long life. In India, it is a symbol for long-lasting friendships. The two countries are also the largest producers of bamboo in the world.
By YJSG Editors
This article was first published in the print edition of Yoga Journal Singapore, which is now Yogahood Online.
