So, one of the common questions beginners have when they start with bonsai growing is “What is the meaning of bonsai?”. Bonsai is Japanese word that means –roughly translated- ‘a tree in a pot’. This makes perfect sense and is a straightforward description of the art of bonsai trees. Despite the Japanese bonsai tree meaning, this is an art that had its origins in ancient China, where people grew ‘pun-sai’ trees in an art that was named penjing.

The Chinese culture is permeated with different mythological figures, such as dragons, serpents, birds, and other animals that had their significance. It is believed that bonsai gardeners from that time, were interested in reproducing the shape of them through these trees.

With a change in location, art intention also changed. In Japan, rather than seeking to represent figures, bonsai growing was seen as a symbol of nature’s harmony and was practiced a lot by Buddhist monks. This was the end for bonsai trees looking like figures and were appreciatedby their true nature, leading to the development of bonsai gardening as we know it these days. Bonsai nowadays is linked to zen and meditation thanks to the monks that brought it to the ‘western civilizations’. However as it was brought to this new World, the bonsai tree meaning inevitably changed.

Yes, some people still link bonsai trees to harmony and zen meditation. But if you look at today’s bonsai interest, you’ll see that it is used as a decoration in spaces that want an Asian inspiration or as part of a growing decoration trend.

However, the meaning also changes from person to person. For some, even without knowing anything about zen meditation, bonsai is something that they can enjoy at peace free of stress and worries, and so it becomes a very important part of their lives. Some might even grow bonsais just because they look great and find a way to be creative along with nature.

As you can see there is a whole ‘liquid aspect’ to the meaning of bonsai trees, and this is something you’ll discover only when you get started with this art through beginner bonsai trees.