Bamboos at Baksa, Formosa c. 1868

John Thomson captured this silver print, "Bamboos at Baksa, Formosa," presenting a landscape dominated by the resilient bamboo. In Chinese culture, bamboo embodies virtues of flexibility, strength, and perseverance. Across cultures, trees have long symbolized life, growth, and connection to the earth. Bamboo, in particular, carries layered meanings. We see its likeness mirrored in the Tree of Life motifs found in ancient Near Eastern art, symbolizing immortality and cosmic order. Consider how the symbolism of trees has evolved. From the sacred groves of ancient Greece, where trees were believed to be inhabited by deities, to the modern eco-conscious movements, the tree persists as a powerful symbol of nature's enduring spirit. Here, Thomson's photograph captures not merely a landscape but a profound emblem of cultural and psychological resonance.