Chinese Gardenis based on simplicity and minimalism, while avoiding simple forms and lines. It gives the impression of manicured, but still wild nature. In reality, however, it is intricately designed, according to strictly defined rules, and apart from aesthetics, it is also marked by deep symbolism. Seehow to design a Chinese garden , what characterizes it and can we create at least a substitute of a Chinese garden in a small backyard garden?
Chinese garden
The style of Chinese gardenswas formed many centuries ago, and it was greatly influenced by the two largest eastern religions and philosophies - Confucianism and Buddhism.Appearing in Chinese poetry and painting, it has finally become a space and an object of contemplation. TheChinese-style garden deviceis an excellent proposition for people who want to take a break from the monotonous hustle and bustle of the city and the pace of everyday life, putting themselves in the hands of the positive influence of the harmonious forces of nature.
To explain theessence of the Chinese garden , we will discuss its individual elements, such as water, mountains, roads and plants with a truly symbolic meaning. However, this extraordinary story should begin with the art of feng shui, which is based on the belief that the condition of a happy human life is harmonious interaction with nature and its forces. Feng means wind and shui means water. Air and water are in constant motion in nature, they shape the Earth's surface and keep us alive. There is also the life-giving energy of qi in constant motion to help you achieve prosperity, abundance and personal happiness. This movement is precisely reflected in the garden through the irregular, rounded shapes of paths, mountainous terrain (gentle hills) and slowly flowing, winding streams that make the water move, symbolizing life.In order for positive qi to flow through the garden, it must be full of soft, rounded shapes and flowing lines.Avoid straight paths and fences, steep slopes and too fast flowing water in streams. If the water flows too fast, the positive qi turns into bad sha energy, known as the poison arrow. Sha introduces disharmony and anxiety into our environment, leading us to failure and disease.
Principles of designing a Chinese garden
Deepening feng shui and artChinese garden designis quite a challenge. But there are a few basic rules that are quite simple to learn, thanks to which we will make our garden similar to classic Chinese gardens.The first, very simple rule, which is worth following when designing a Chinese garden, says that the garden should be consist of an odd number of pieces. This will give the impression that the garden is not finished yet, that the space is not developed.Although this procedure is actually intentional, it is the way of developing the space.
Chinese garden
Another element is avoiding straight lines. This can be seen especially in the winding paths and streams, but also in the rounded architectural elements (the use of arches). Any ornaments will distance us from the intended goal of creating a Chinese garden. Another advice follows from this principle - the composition must be simple and legible, composed of two aspects - external (visual) and hidden (symbolic). I can explain it more simply - externally visible elements, such as winding paths and moving water, symbolize the constantly moving, life-giving qi energy (I mentioned it at the very beginning of the text). Also, planted plants, externally decorative, also have their hidden symbolism (more on this in a moment).
Chinese garden elements
The most importantin the Chinese gardenare the topography and architecture, created from the covenant of water and stone. These two elements are constant, unchanging, and unshakable. Plants, on the other hand, are unstable and bring to mind the transience of fast-running and early ending life. However, they have a deep symbolic meaning, allowing the garden to be read like a book. Each plant in the garden should symbolize some advantage or value that the owners of the garden would like.
The first essentialelement in the Chinese gardenthat we will discuss in more detail iswater- the symbol of life. Due to poverty it can be stagnant water (e.g. a pond), but it is best when it is moving water, e.g. a river or a stream flowing slowly down a gentle hill. Shape the stream in such a way that its end is not visible. This procedure symbolizes a connection with the other world. So let's make the stream slowly disappear from our eyes, hiding somewhere in the thicket of plants or flowing under the rocks, no one knows where. A similar effect can also be obtained with stagnant water, forming a water reservoir of irregular shapes, forming bends - so that we can see that the lake has an alley disappearing behind plants or rock embankment, so that we do not see its shore and we do not know where it ends . This procedure is to make our pond look like a flowing water, a slow river that flows somewhere further. This is necessary because stagnant water easily turns into bad sha energy. Therefore, since in our garden, created in the style of the Chinese, we cannot afford a stream, let us shape our garden pond so that it resembles a slow, winding river.
Chinese garden
The next element ismountainsOf course, we will not always have mountainous terrain at our disposal, but symbolic mountains can be built from boulders and stones. The mountains created in this way should be mysterious, full of caves, caves and tunnels, which, like a stream, lead to unknown where.Select boulders and stones with regular shapes to create this mountainous landscape. Limestone blocks, naturally carved by water, work great. Remember that we have to create small, oval-shaped hills that will promote positive qi energy.
In the Chinese garden there must also be an asymmetrical and winding pathpath , which will wind between flowing water and mountains, leading us to all corners of the garden. Its surface should be covered with flat, smooth stones. Paving stones must not be used under any circumstances.
It is also worth introducing the characteristic elements of small architecture - arbors and bridges to our garden. The gazebo should be placed in a picturesque place, preferably on a hill or by the water. It should be built on a circular or polygonal plan, with the roof tucked up. The bridge, on the other hand, should have the shape of an arch and should have both an aesthetic and practical function, allowing you to walk over a stream or reach a gazebo. Speaking of architecture, it is also worth mentioning the walls. In the wall there may be an octagonal or round gate (the so-called moon door) leading to the garden.
A less commonelement in Chinese gardensis sculpture. Most often it appears in connection with buildings as a full sculpture or a bas-relief. If we choose sculptures in our Chinese garden, they should depict animals such as dragons, turtles (symbol of long life) and lions (symbol of bravery and beauty). Before entering the gazebo, you can place a Chinese vase or a censer made of bronze.
Finally, let's discussplants , which in the Chinese garden are primarily symbolic. However, before presenting the species characteristic of Chinese gardens, I would like to mention an element that we can instinctively and unfortunately wrongly take into account when setting up a Chinese garden. Well, a permanent element of most home gardens is a lawn. It is impossible not to be tempted by it.When setting up a Chinese-style garden from a lawn, however, we must give up. There is simply no such thing as a lawn in a real Chinese garden!
Chinese garden
An important and even indispensable elementof a traditional Chinese gardenis a lotus. The lotus flower symbolizes the noble search for spiritual purity and truth - it grows out of the silt, which is a sign of the material world, penetrates the water, representing instability, to finally rise to the surface of the water and bloom in the air and in the sun, i.e. in the spiritual world. Its development is an illustration of the development and flourishing of the human mind, as stated in the philosophy of Buddhism. Unfortunately, in our climatic conditions, we cannot afford to grow a lotus in a garden pond. In an amateur assumption, however, it will be perfectly replaced by water lilies - water lilies.
Among the trees, the most important rolein the Chinese gardenis played by the plum tree. For a Chinese, this tree is the same as for a Japanese cherry - it is a harbinger of spring and a sign of awakening life. There should also be a palm maple that will bring us success.
Characteristic for Chinese gardensare also bamboos, symbolizing friendship. In trade, you can find very interesting varieties of garden bamboos that are frost-resistant and can withstand our climatic conditions. Smaller varieties can also be grown in containers.Our mountainous hills in the Chinese garden can be covered with pine trees, which are an allegory of permanence, immortality and strong character. This symbolism of pine is not hardly surprising when we see trunks of pine trees ruffled by the wind, elaborately bent on the steep mountain slopes. There are also many of them in the Polish mountains. When looking for other species of conifers, we can also plant junipers in the Chinese garden.
Chinese garden
Of the typicalgardens of Chinese plantsthat can grow in our climate, it is also worth mentioning peonies, which bring he alth and prosperity, and chrysanthemums, which are a symbol of longevity. Let's also focus on a miniature pensai tree, cared for and pruned in such a way as to show its perfection. We can plant them in a container, supplementing with gravel and pebbles, symbolizing boulders, thus creating a charming miniature landscape.
When we read about pensai, Japanese bonsai certainly comes to mind. That's right! In the history of garden artChinese gardenswere copied and imitated by the Japanese who spread this style. The Japanese, however, adapted the elements of Chinese gardens to their needs, and as a result, a Japanese garden in its style was created. Recently, there has been a kind of fashion for Japanese gardens among the owners of home gardens and plots outside the city. However, if we want to be more original than our neighbors, let's go to the source of this style - the Chinese garden. Good luck in creating these extraordinary, symbolic landscapes, which for their owners should become a wonderful place of relaxation and a refuge in which they will find peace of mind.
