Culture Insider: A glimpse into Chinese bamboo culture

[File photo]

When it comes to the symbol of Chinese culture, the images of giant pandas may capture the foreigners' imagination. However, many may ignore the fact that bamboo, the staple food of the national treasure, also has a far-reaching influence on the Chinese people.

The history of Chinese people planting and using bamboo can be traced back to as far as 7,000 years. As early as the Shang Dynasty (16th-11th century BC), bamboo was being used in various aspects of ancient Chinese people's daily lives. It was used for food, clothing, housing, transportation, music instruments and even weapons.

Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo, was a Chinese leading poet, painter and calligrapher of the Song dynasty (AD 960-1279). He said in his poet: "I would rather live without meat than without bamboo. Without meat, I will be thinner. Without bamboo, I will be coarse."

Let's take a look at the role of bamboo in China.