Bamboo Tattoos

Add bamboo to your tattoo!

Bamboo tattoos - often used as a backdrop in tattoo designs, especially those with an Asian or Polynesian theme. No tattoo of a Giant Panda would be complete without some bamboo accents.

There are over 1,000 species of bamboo, but all are woody, perennial evergreens. They are characterized by their straight and sectioned shoots and long, wispy leaves. Bamboo is an important part of Oriental cultures, as the trees provide food, a source of building material, and sap to make bamboo wine.

Bamboos are one of the few trees that can stand up to hurricanes. Because of that, plus their long life span, they symbolize reliability, courage, good breeding, longevity, good fortune, and impending fame. A bamboo tattoo design could represent any of those meanings.

The ancient Chinese thought bamboo was food for the Phoenix, the mythical fiery bird that rises from the ashes. The Chinese word for bamboo is synonymous with “to wish” or “to pray.” In Japan, it is often planted around Shinto shrines to ward off evil. Bamboo is central to both Philippine and Malaysian creation myths, with humans emanating from split bamboo shoots.

Bamboo Trivia:Did you know that when Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, the first filament was made of bamboo? In fact, all light bulbs used bamboo filaments until 1910, when they were replaced with wire. For more information on bamboo and Floral Tattoos, see the resources listed on our Reference Page.

Return to Top of Bamboo Tattoos Page.

Return to Floral Tattoos Page.