Bamboo, plum, orchid and chrysanthemum make up the traditional "four gentlemen" of Chinese art history. Bamboo is also included in the "three friends during the depth of the winter" together with the pine and plum.
在中國傳統的值物中，竹和梅、蘭、菊號稱「四君子」，是中國人心目中最高雅的植物，也是幾千年來，國畫家們最喜歡採用的繪畫題材。