To Emma,
I guess it must be difficult for you native English speaker to understand. In Chinese culture, Bamboo is a symbol of integrity for its biologic characters that it's tough and straight.( If you don't know Chinese characters at all, I guess it's hard to explain for you.) Many intellectuals in China like bamboos and praise bamboos with the symbolic characters. I don't know if westerners like some plants or animals just as we like bamboos. If so , do tell me some. Thanks~