Bamboo is one of the 四君子 (sì jūnzǐ, Four Gentlemen) in Chinese art - along with plum blossom, orchid, and chrysanthemum - representing integrity and resilience.
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竹 is also a radical (⺮) that appears on top of many characters related to bamboo products: 笔 (pen), 篮 (basket), 笛 (flute), 筷 (chopstick).