Asian Garden- Zen Garden
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Zen statuary Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
- Description
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The Zen garden is an important part of Japanese culture. Dating back to the early 6th century, the Buddhist monks created meditation spaces out of sand and rocks. Later the gardens transitioned to be enjoyed by Warlords, Emperors and Aristocrats moving from meditation to aesthetic pleasure. During the 17th century gardens peaked in their use for tea ceremonies. Then in the following Edo period, gardens departed from minimalism as the ruling class redesigned the gardens for extravagance and recreation. Current gardens from the 19th century to date entered the age of modernization and have become private and public strolling gardens.
The typical elements designated in a Zen Garden include:
- Plants
- Stones
- Water or simulation of water
- Paths and bridges
- Ornamentation
- Sensory elements
- Simplicity and asymmetry
The purpose of a Zen garden is to help quiet and focus your mind, awaken the senses and make the viewer more attune to nature. Each element of a Zen garden holds symbolism.
Plant symbolism:
Bamboo - strength, growth and living a straightforward life.
Azaleas - femininity, remembrance of home, elegance and wealth.
Japanese Maples - a symbol of grace personified, balance, calm and at peace.
Weeping Cedar - humility.
Water contributes to the expression of nature and symbolizes renewal, calm, wonder and continuity in the hereafter.
Stones are a symbol of duration and omnipresence of the forces of nature and anchor the garden.
Paths represent the journey to enlightenment, leading to new opportunities as well as leads the eye to other areas of the garden sparking exploration.
Bridges symbolize life changes, transition.
Lanterns represent love, purity, brightness and protection from evil. There are four pieces to a typical Japanese lantern.
- The top adornment is called the Jewel
- The roof or umbrella
- The light compartment
- The post or pedestal
Toriis are traditional Japanese gates found at the entrance of temples, where it symbolically marks the transition from the secular to the sacred or the mundane to the divine.
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Zen statuary Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Zen garden torii Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Statuary, dry river bed, bridge and Tamukeyama Japanese Maple Garden age: 5 years CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Acer palmatum var dissected 'Tamukeyama' with bells Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
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Dry river bed, bridge and torii Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Acer palmatun var. dissectum 'Orangeola' Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Japanese Zen garden in a small space Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Path leading your curiosity to the next garden bed Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
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Japanese torii Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Tamukeyama' with Gold Mop Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Bambusa 'Golden Goddess' clumping bamboo Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
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Using a dry bed of rocks to represent water element Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
Winter Garden Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
Zen statuary Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Zen garden torii Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

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Statuary, dry river bed, bridge and Tamukeyama Japanese Maple Garden age: 5 years CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Acer palmatum var dissected 'Tamukeyama' with bells Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
Dry river bed, bridge and torii Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Acer palmatun var. dissectum 'Orangeola' Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Japanese Zen garden in a small space Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Path leading your curiosity to the next garden bed Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
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Japanese torii Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Tamukeyama' with Gold Mop Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Bambusa 'Golden Goddess' clumping bamboo Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
Using a dry bed of rocks to represent water element Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
Winter Garden Garden age: 5 years Susan Broderick CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo