By YJSG Editors
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.
THE LUCKY BAMBOO