Bamboo Vases: Variations on a Theme
Bamboo is considered a very lucky plant. Its Eastern roots imbue it with a mystical significance that extends beyond its simple form. Bamboo vases, used to enhance the energy and vitality in your home, come in a variety of forms. First, there are vases which are literally made of bamboo, there are vases which are designed to display bamboo, and there are vases which hold growing bamboo. Learning about the meaning and origin of bamboo as well as the myriad of ways it can be incorporated into your home will enhance your décor and, hopefully, the quality of your life.
Bamboo grows rapidly in a variety of climates around the world, which means it is a relatively hardy, no-fuss plant. In fact, if you were to plant it in your garden, you would have a hard time keeping it from spreading underground, and it would reach its full height in only a year or two. Most species of bamboo shoots are edible and are used frequently in Asian cuisine and beverages, including a sweet wine and a soft drink. Bamboo wood is used for everything from flooring to hats to, obviously, vases, and it can also be made into yarn or paper. In China, bamboo is a symbol of long life and nobility, and in Japan, it is said to ward against evil. The lucky bamboo frequently marketed in America isn't actually bamboo at all. Instead, it is a hardy type of houseplant
Some bamboo vases are literally made of bamboo. These vases can be woven from thin strips of bamboo like a basket. They can also be made from thick stalks of bamboo that are cut, dried, and, sometimes, stained different colors or decorated with intricate carvings on the outside. Finally, some artisans construct vases by soaking thinly cut bamboo strips in water, pressing them into different shapes, and sealing them with glue by hand. They can then also polish them and paint them different colors.
For Westerners who would like to make modified bamboo vases of their own, they can purchase long, thin strips of bamboo, cut them to the correct size, and place them side-by-side around the perimeter of a can. They can then tie the strips of bamboo together so that they slant to the side. Many westerners are also attracted to the intricate designs of "lucky bamboo." These bamboo plants can be planted in decorative containers with rock or pebbles covering the roots. If watered regularly, they will continue to grow for approximately one year.