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