It is one of the "four gentlemen" of the Chinese floral world, the others being plum flowers, orchids and chrysanthemums. Bamboo is listed in the "three friends in the cold of the year," with pine and plum, which do not wither in winter. These titles indicate how the bamboo is cherished and respected by the Chinese.
我們將竹與梅、蘭、菊合稱「四君子」；與松、梅合稱「歲寒三友」，其重視之程度，不問可知了。