Bonsai Tree Meaning

Bonsai – The Word
Bonsai is basically a Japanese word, but has Chinese roots. It is derived from the Chinese word ‘Pun- sai’ which literally means growing trees in a pot or tray. The word bonsai can be broken into its two roots, that is, ‘bon’, which means a ‘tray’ or a shallow container, and ‘sai’ meaning ‘plant’. Thus a plant in a tray is bonsai.
Bonsai – The Art
The art of bonsai does not merely involve growing trees in a shallow container. Bonsai is an artistic replica of a tree in a miniature form. It is a work of art and requires expert skill and techniques. Bonsai is a way of manipulation of a natural tree to create an ornamental ‘majestic’ small tree. Lot of care, patience and proper techniques go in, to make these beautiful bonsai trees. Read more on bonsai trees – history.
Bonsai Tree Meaning
The bonsai tree has gone through a whole process of evolution. In this period, the bonsai tree meaning has changed with different people interpreting it in their own ways. Let’s see the different bonsai tree meanings in different periods of its evolution.
Origin
The art of bonsai originated in China, some 1000 years back. This practice began to develop in and around China, in places like Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand. In those days, people shaped and pruned trees to make them look like dragons, birds, serpents and other animals associated with Chinese myths and legends. They believed the twisted trunks of the trees looked like ferocious dragons and other fearsome creatures.
Evolution
It was the Zen Buddhists, who brought this ancient Chinese art to Japan. Initially bonsai or miniature trees and shrubs were grown by the Japanese simply to decorate their homes and gardens. It was merely a decorative art. This art form refined and venerated in Japan over a period of time. The bonsai tree meaning thus kept changing as people saw the bonsai tree in many different ways. It was once considered as a symbol of wealth and became immensely popular with the upper class. It evolved as an art form representing prestige and honor.
Symbolism
The Buddhist monks viewed these miniature trees as the symbol of harmony between nature, man and soul. It was supposed to be a symbol of peace and balance in nature. The aesthetic value of these trees increased eventually, and they gained a place in the soul of the common man. It represented the Japanese culture and tradition in some way or the other.
Decoration
The 19th century was the time when this art was opened to the world outside Japan. The travelers from west saw these wonderful miniature trees placed in pots and were fascinated by this art form. They took these ideas to their homeland and this is how bonsai traveled all the way to the west. Here again the bonsai tree meaning was changed. People were amazed by this incredible creation and bonsai became famous all over the world. However, with time, the true bonsai meaning was lost. These days people consider bonsai as merely a piece of decoration. Most westerners look at it as a little touch of Asia in their homes. It is considered as the means to incorporate natural elements into landscaping and interior decorating.