Root Metaphors: How Plants Describe People and Their Hidden Meanings
The language we use to describe human identity and belonging is often rich with metaphors drawn from the natural world. Among the most evocative are those that liken people to plants, particularly their roots. In Taiwan, the sweet potato (hóngshǔ) serves as a poignant example, colloquially describing those who arrived on the island before 1949, implying a deep, indigenous connection to the land. This linguistic choice isn't arbitrary; it taps into profound anthropological and cultural meanings embedded in our understanding of roots.
The Sweet Potato in Taiwan: A Rooted Identity
In Taiwan, "sweet potato" (蕃薯) became a powerful symbol to distinguish early Hokkien and Hakka immigrants who settled the island from the "taro" (芋仔), a term sometimes used for the later wave of Chinese mainlanders arriving after 1949. The sweet potato, with its hardy, sprawling nature and the fact that it could grow almost anywhere on the island, came to symbolize the resilience and deep-seated connection of those who had put down roots generations ago. It implied a long-standing, organic relationship with the soil, a local authenticity.
This metaphor highlights a fundamental human need: to define who belongs and who doesn't, who is "from here" and who is "from away." The "roots" become a marker of nativeness, authenticity, and historical presence.
Why Roots? An Anthropological Perspective
From an anthropological viewpoint, the consistent use of root metaphors to describe human groupings isn't coincidental.
Anchoring and Stability: Roots are fundamental to a plant's survival, anchoring it firmly to the ground.
1 This symbolizes stability, belonging, and an enduring presence in a particular place. To be "rooted" implies a deep, unshakeable connection that withstands the tests of time and change.Origin and Ancestry: Roots are the origin point, drawing sustenance from the earth to nourish the entire plant. This naturally extends to metaphors of ancestry, heritage, and foundational identity. Our "roots" connect us to our forebears, our place of origin, and the cultural traditions passed down through generations.
2 To speak of "uprooting" is to describe profound displacement, loss of identity, and severed connections.Hidden Strength and Resilience: Much like the sweet potato or cassava, roots often grow unseen beneath the surface, yet they are the source of the plant's strength and resilience.
3 This hidden aspect mirrors the enduring, often unspoken bonds of community and shared history that define a group. It suggests a strength that isn't always visible but is vital for survival, especially in challenging times.Organic Growth and Adaptation: Plants adapt to their environment through their roots, finding nutrients even in difficult conditions. This adaptability can be mirrored in how immigrant groups, over generations, become deeply integrated into a new land, developing unique cultural forms that are both new and rooted in their new environment.
Global Echoes: Other Plant Metaphors for People
Taiwan's sweet potato metaphor is just one example of a global phenomenon. Cultures worldwide have drawn similar parallels:
"Native sons/daughters": This common phrase evokes the idea of someone born and raised in a place, drawing life from its "soil."
"Family tree": Perhaps the most widespread root metaphor, visually representing lineage and ancestral connections.
"Grassroots movements": Referring to social or political action originating from the most fundamental levels of society, implying an organic, widespread base.
4 "Stammbaum" (German for "tree of tribes/lineage"): Used to denote a family tree, emphasizing deep historical roots.
5 In some Indigenous cultures, specific plants or trees are seen as direct ancestors or spiritual kin, further blurring the lines between human identity and the natural world.
6 This often reflects a holistic worldview where humans are an integral part of the ecosystem, not separate from it.
The Hidden Meanings: Inclusion, Exclusion, and Belonging
The use of root metaphors in describing people often carries hidden meanings related to inclusion and exclusion. While they can foster a sense of shared identity and belonging among those deemed "rooted," they can also subtly or overtly exclude others.
When a group defines itself as "rooted" in a land (like the sweet potato in Taiwan), it implicitly categorizes others as "unrooted" or "less rooted." This can lead to social hierarchies, debates over authenticity, and political struggles over rights and resources.
The "deepness" of one's roots can become a measure of legitimacy, subtly suggesting who has more right to claim a place. This is a common theme in societies with complex histories of migration and settlement.
Yet, these metaphors also speak to a universal human yearning for connection, belonging, and a sense of place. We all seek to find our "roots," whether literally in a homeland or figuratively in a community that grounds us.
The humble sweet potato in Taiwan, like countless other plant metaphors worldwide, thus offers a window into the profound ways humans conceive of their origins, their connections to land, and the intricate dynamics of identity and belonging. These linguistic choices are far from superficial; they are deeply ingrained in our collective understanding of who we are and where we come from.