| A Zen garden is basically a sand garden with | | | | |
| rocks, gravel and occasionally other natural | | | | A symbolic river (and boulders) made from |
| elements such as grasses. They usually do not | | | | sand suggests rivers and mountains as a place |
| feature concrete water fountains or anything | | | | to create a quiet place for contemplation. A |
| that is manmade. Although that is not to say | | | | concrete water vessel spilling out water may |
| concrete fountains can't be added for | | | | be used to create this illusion. |
| additional impact. A Zen garden is a place to | | | | |
| sit and unwind or to meditate. | | | | Zen gardens contain quiet minimalist features |
| | | | with curving flowing lines and shapes with |
| The most famous Zen garden is the | | | | few visual distractions. They allow one to |
| Ryōan-ji Temple located in Kyoto, | | | | slow the pace, to discard the day's chaos and |
| Japan. The monks of the temple maintain this | | | | to calm down. The space becomes a sanctuary. |
| ancient Zen garden. Concrete water fountains | | | | There can be a focal point, a sculpture or |
| are not found here. The simple design is done | | | | concrete water fountain that engages the mind |
| in monochromatic shades of brown. The most | | | | and eyes, which in turn releases the day's |
| interesting feature of this Zen garden are | | | | tension. This is a Zen meditation technique |
| the 15 rocks arranged on the surface of white | | | | in action. |
| pebbles in such a manner that visitors can | | | | |
| see only 14 of them at once, from whichever | | | | The feng shui principles also advocate gently |
| angle the garden is viewed. According to | | | | flowing paths around and through the garden, |
| legend, only when someone attains spiritual | | | | with no dead ends or right angles. Simplicity |
| enlightenment as a result of deep Zen | | | | and harmony are the basic design elements |
| meditation can he see the last invisible | | | | especially in the concrete water fountains. |
| stone with his mind's eye. To find unique and | | | | To learn more about fung shui garden design |
| distinctive concrete water fountains visit | | | | with the incorporations of fountains visit |
| | | | |
| The Simplicity of a Zen Garden | | | | Taking a Zen Garden One Step Further |
| | | | |
| The main elements of a Zen garden are always | | | | By observing nature you can replicate it even |
| rocks and sand, with the sea symbolized not | | | | with concrete water fountains. The addition |
| by water but by sand raked in patterns that | | | | of a water feature heightens its restful |
| suggest rippling water. Plants are much less | | | | quality. The flow and murmur of water are |
| important (and sometimes nonexistent) in many | | | | known to calm and inspire and have been used |
| Zen gardens. Zen gardens are often, but not | | | | that way for thousands of years. Properly |
| always, meant to be viewed from a single, | | | | designed water features, with plants, frogs, |
| seated perspective, and the rocks are often | | | | fish, and continually moving water won't be a |
| associated with and named after various | | | | mosquito-breeding ground. A garden's |
| Chinese mountains. Some Zen gardens employ a | | | | pond-less waterfall with moving water |
| concrete-water-way or a small concrete water | | | | provides all the benefits of water without |
| fountain for additional tranquility. | | | | large tracts of land, making it ideal for |
| | | | city dwellers. And it is important (that the |
| With this type of design, less is more, and | | | | garden) is harmonious with the neighbors as |
| it's essential to keep it simple - even the | | | | well as yourself. |
| concrete water fountains should have simple | | | | |
| lines. Creating calming, restful, and soulful | | | | Regardless of the type of Zen garden chosen, |
| Zen gardens is a way of introducing nature | | | | all the elements that go into making it - |
| into our lives and can help balance our | | | | color, plants, hard structures, the concrete |
| hectic urban existence. For more ideas on | | | | water garden and ornaments - need to blend |
| beautiful concrete water fountains check out | | | | comfortably to form a peaceful garden that |
| | | | delights the physical senses with the sound, |
| Zen Garden Principles and Practices | | | | smell, and sight. |