Oriental Gardens

Oriental Gardens

An oriental garden describes a wide body of work. There is the Chinese, the Japanese, and even a Balinese version, each with subtle differences. For instances whilst bridges are common to both Chinese and Japanese gardens, the Japanese bridge is likely to be a gentle curving arch, whilst the Chinese bridge would most likely use stones placed zig zag-in an a effort to disorientate evil spirits!

Another difference between a Chinese and a Japanese garden is that while water is common, in fact intrinsic to both types of gardens, in the Japanese garden, it generally is presented as flowing water, whilst in Chinese gardens it is still . The latter owes itself to Taoist wisdom while the Japanese garden lays store in natural energy or what is called ‘Ki’ in Shintoism.

However there is more than water that distinguishes the oriental garden. There is a meditative quality that oriental gardens encourage, so that the garden becomes more than a thing of beauty and almost an act of contemplation. In oriental gardens there is a deceptive simplicity that stands for deeper truths, everything is in the balance and the harmony betwixt different aspects of the garden. A sense of tranquility permeates an oriental garden and you don’t need a lot of space to do it. The end objective of an oriental garden is to act as a representation of nature that in turn generates energy or ‘chi’.

Water as mentioned is one distinguishing feature of an oriental garden. Fountains are popular but not noisy spouting types, instead soft gurgling ones mostly made of bamboo. They are intended to provide a soothing soundtrack as much as look visually pleasing. Water bowls ar a fair substitute, especially when space is limited, as long as it provides the same effect; soothe the viewer.

Ponds ar another(a) popular and assuasive influence in an oriental garden-often filled with Koi fish. They provide the perfect ambiance for introspection and deep thought as do water falls. Waterfalls are particularly useful when the garden is astatine different levels.

Bridges are an important feature in an oriental garden, whether over a dry river or an actual body of water. They help draw attention to the water as well as being an attraction on its own.

Stones take on a whole new significance in oriental gardens; hours could be spent if not days figuring out exactly where to place them. Again they could be used to draw attention to some aspect of the garden and if placed right could really give the garden a softer feel to it. Stones ar a good way to bring a rugged quality into your neat garden.

Pathways are another(a) fixture in oriental gardens. They allow passage from one part of the garden to another but they also invite reflection. Pathways could come in any number of materials from sand to stones, to pebbles to granite slabs. Pathways in an oriental garden are never straight but wander all over the place-much like the mind!

Lastly, let’s consider the plants that go well in an oriental garden. The Japanese maple, its rich colors changing over the seasons is often found as edging near ponds or waterfalls. Bamboo is another(a) natural fit with an oriental garden as ar water lilies or lotuses.

Remember that in an oriental garden it is non just about the plants – it is about the balance ‘tween the different elements!