Bamboo Magic & Folklore

Bamboo is grown in many parts of the world, and because it is both quick to develop and extremely hardy, it has a variety of uses from the mundane to the magical.

The bamboo plant lives a long time, and will just continue growing until it is harvested. Because of this, some Pacific Island tribes regard it as a symbol of longevity and life, and include bamboo in some creation stories. In some parts of the Philippines, bamboo crosses are placed in the fields to bring hearty crops in at harvest time.

In parts of India, bamboo symbolizes friendship, and in some Eastern religions, bamboo is the only acceptable material for certain ceremonial objects.

A number of Asian poets have written tributes to this hardy plant. In particular, some of Japan’s early female poets, like Cho Koran, have sung its praises.

Flowers wither, but a fresh green appears;
the change of seasons causes tears to stain my clothes.
I remember cherries and bamboo shoots prepared in a kitchen far away,
my sisters and family lack one member.

– Cho Koran

Veils of light mist
envelop the curving inlet
weeping willows luxuriantly green
pomegranates blossom red.
With bamboo blinds rolled up
for a time I do nothing
sitting and facing the mountains —
the spring rain.

-Cho Koran

In many Eastern martial arts, bamboo is used as a training tool. Weapons made of bamboo, such as sticks and swords, such as the Japanese shinai. It was also used to form spears and longbows. Because of this, some magical traditions associate bamboo with strength and the warrior’s path.

Bamboo is easy to grow–sometimes to the point of invasiveness–so many people today grow and harvest it for magical use.

Here are some magical uses for bamboo that you can try:

• Plant bamboo in pots around your house, to bring long life and good health to those who live there.
• In some Taoist rituals, bamboo is used as a wand in ceremonies calling upon water entities.
• Hollow out a piece of bamboo, fill it with spell components and seal the ends with wax. Carry it with you, or place it in your home, as needed.
• In Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, the author recommends using bamboo by carving your wish into a stalk, and then burying it in the ground someplace secluded. He also suggests using it to break hexes by crushing the dried wood into a powder and burning.

• Use a long dried piece as a handle for a magical besom, and sweep bad energy out of your home.
• In Japan, bamboo walls are believed to protect Shinto shrines from evil spirits. Plant a row of them in your yard, or in pots on your windowsills, to keep negative energies out.
• Find ways to incorporate bamboo into magical tools, such as cups, wands, even planters for your herbs.

Bamboo Image by Adrian Furby; Creative Commons (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr