Often used instead of chips as a type of "play money", beans have come to represent
objects of little value in the European tradition (i.e. someone who doesn't
know "beans"). They are also symbolic of immortality and magic power (although
connected with witches since a beanstalk can form a witches' broom), as in Jack
and the Beanstalk. Once planted, beans can represent resurrection and reincarnation
since they grow spiritually upwards.
Beans are also phallic, especially when they are green and can symbolize male
sex organs, and can connote immortality. Can be thought of also as an elementary
food or way of counting. The flowers that can grow from beans emit a smell that
produces accidents, lunacy, bad dreams and terrifying visions.