Bamboo is often seen as the symbol of physical endurance, mental flexibility, and the protection of Earth spirits. It can help bring balance to, and harmonize the water, wood, and Earth elements of a home, as well as delivering a wish for long life.
There is a story from the Philippines about a bamboo and mango tree. When a heavy storm comes with attacking with strong winds, the mango tree, which is big and thick, will try to resist the wind and will be blown over and break. However the bamboo tree, which is light and thin, will instead move with the wind’s flow, it won’t break and survives the storm.
Life often sends us challenges. They push us to move and change. Physically when we are pushed to our breaking point, our muscles become stiff and tense, and adrenaline will kick in and push us on. Yet as humans we cannot only grow physically, but must strive to grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally from within. So when we are faced with these challenges, we are faced with the choice of resisting like the mango tree, or living and going with the flow like bamboo.
Maybe Barry Manilow said it best when he sang “You can give in, you can give out, but you don’t give up”.
