| Classical Chinese gardens and fountains are more than | | | | addition to finding the most suitable site for each |
| collections of beautiful plants, trees and water. They | | | | garden element (plants, rocks, water fountains and |
| are representations of nature, providing insight into | | | | architectural constructions), details such as the size, |
| the philosophical and spiritual mind of past Chinese | | | | shape, color and placement of railings, windows and |
| artisans and high-ranking citizens. | | | | doors in a building, for example, are also considered |
| The principles of classical Chinese gardening can be | | | | to ensure complete harmony of the surroundings. |
| useful and insightful to garden lovers living anywhere | | | | Taking Advantage - The Chinese garden designer |
| in the world. Chinese design objectives can inspire | | | | attempts to use the garden's surroundings, whether |
| American home gardeners to try something new | | | | near or distant, to the best advantage. Sights, |
| such as a garden fountain and encourage the | | | | sounds, movement and stillness, the subtle and the |
| expression of culture and philosophy through | | | | obvious, are used as part of the scenes created |
| gardening. | | | | within the garden. Many of the private gardens in |
| In the 2,000 years since the imperial family first set | | | | China were small in size -- no larger than the typical |
| aside natural areas for hunting, traditional gardens in | | | | garden sites of single family homes in the United |
| China have developed into an art form equal in rank | | | | States. It is the challenge, then, of the garden |
| to painting, calligraphy and poetry. Several of the | | | | designer to create the illusion of spaciousness by |
| finest gardens, built during the Ming and Qing | | | | incorporating far-off sights and sounds into the |
| Dynasties (1368-1912), have survived the ravages of | | | | garden's ambiance. |
| time and politics. | | | | Refinement - To define what is refined in the garden |
| Suzhou, about 50 miles west of Shanghai, is known | | | | design is a judgment rooted in culture. In Chinese |
| as "the city of gardens." For generations, rich officials, | | | | gardens, this refinement has meant incorporating a |
| merchants, landowners, scholars, garden designers | | | | tranquility, gracefulness, elegance, neatness and |
| and garden crafters settled in Suzhou to enhance its | | | | distinctness that is in accordance with nature. The |
| fame. The principles of classical Chinese gardens were | | | | expression of these characteristics is judged in China |
| well represented in their gardens. Visitors come to | | | | against culturally accepted historical standards. Outside |
| learn their secrets and experience their magic. | | | | of China, gardeners can define what is considered |
| These gardens provide insight into the traditional | | | | refined according to their own standards. |
| Chinese view of nature, which includes the role | | | | Simplicity - To Ji Cheng, being simple means not being |
| human's play in the natural order. The gardens hold | | | | extravagant. Resources that are on site or nearby |
| clues to the ancient Chinese mind through the winding | | | | are considered the best materials to use in designing |
| paths, the use of symbolism and the selection of | | | | the garden. Rare or unusual objects and plants are |
| plants. In the traditional Chinese view of nature, | | | | considered extravagant. |
| humans were equals with everything in the natural | | | | Changeability - This objective is prominent in |
| world. As the philosopher Lao Tsu wrote in the Tao | | | | traditional Chinese gardens because it expresses the |
| Te Ching, "Man follows the earth. Earth follows | | | | natural law of constant change. A garden design can |
| heaven. Heaven follows the Tao. Tao follows what is | | | | create a sense of change and unexpectedness with |
| natural." Traditionally, Chinese people assisted in the | | | | scene changes in every turn of a path, an |
| expression of nature but did not impose their will | | | | unexpected or different view from each window and |
| upon it. | | | | aesthetic changes with each season. Designs can |
| Chinese gardens were originally designed to symbolize | | | | include changes caused by clouds, sun, wind, rain, |
| a living entity: rocks formed the skeleton, water and | | | | snow, insects, birds, plants and water. |
| fountains functioned as the blood, while plants | | | | A garden's plants provide a link among all its |
| provided the clothing. To portray the influence of | | | | elements, symbolizing harmony in nature. Plants are |
| human beings in nature, architectural constructions | | | | the garden's dynamic, living component. |
| (bridges, pavilions, halls, courtyards, gateways, | | | | In accordance with the Chinese view of gardens as |
| windows, doors and pavings) were integrated into a | | | | representations of nature, the trees, shrubs and |
| garden's design. Their purpose was to illustrate the | | | | flowers of a garden are chosen to reflect the unique |
| ideal interaction of humans with nature. Together, | | | | features of the garden's region. Most traditional |
| these elements made up all that is natural on Earth: | | | | Chinese gardeners select native plants, or plants with |
| vegetation, mountains, and bodies of water with | | | | special meaning in Chinese culture. Bamboo, for |
| gently flowing Chinese fountains as well as human | | | | example, is common in Chinese gardens because of |
| influence. The way they were integrated into the | | | | the many lessons it teaches. Bamboo is strong and |
| garden expressed the relationships they have in | | | | resilient. Staying green throughout the winter, it |
| nature. | | | | teaches that one can flourish despite harsh conditions. |
| Gardeners in the West may be unable to mimic the | | | | Bamboo grows in clumps, modeling life in the family. |
| grandeur with which the ancient Chinese gardeners | | | | Its fast growth illustrates self-development. |
| represented nature, but they can include parts of | | | | The plants are situated in ways that show off an |
| each element. The goal is to create a sense of | | | | individual plant's unique features. Their arrangements |
| wholeness within the limitations of the site and to | | | | in the design demonstrate their interrelationships with |
| consider all these elements as integral parts of the | | | | other species as they occur in their natural habitats. |
| garden. | | | | The purpose of plants in Chinese gardens is to reflect |
| Just as a garden's main elements are symbolic of the | | | | the inherent order of nature. More than a collection |
| parts of a living whole, symbols that make up the | | | | of plants or even an expression of beauty in the |
| culture's beliefs are scattered throughout Chinese | | | | purely visual sense, the classical Chinese garden is a |
| gardens and integrated in their design. For example, | | | | physical representation of Chinese philosophy and |
| bad spirits were believed to travel in straight lines so | | | | culture. These gardens embody the best of traditional |
| pathways were seldom designed straight or flat. It | | | | Chinese thought and culture, which sees humanity |
| was believed that the many changes in levels and | | | | functioning as part of a greater natural order. |
| directions made it difficult for these spirits to infect | | | | Today, home gardeners can apply their plant growing |
| the people enjoying the garden. Dragons, symbols of | | | | talents in the spirit of these old Chinese gardens by |
| strength, change and goodness, frequently adorn | | | | expressing their own culture and philosophy toward |
| Chinese fountain walls and roofs of garden structures. | | | | nature in their garden designs and by applying Ji |
| Suitability -- The most appropriate location for every | | | | Cheng's design objectives. The result will be a garden |
| feature of a garden must be found. Seasonal | | | | that unites aesthetics, plant cultivation, philosophy and |
| changes in weather and plants as well as the physical | | | | culture. |
| requirements of the garden site are considered. In | | | | |