The art of the East attracts special attention of landscape designers with its exoticism and originality. The originality of the Chinese style is explained by the fact that its formation took place in isolation and under the influence of philosophical teachings. The Chinese Garden is the result of the simultaneous effects of Buddhism and Taoism. It embodies the desire to reproduce in miniature landscapes inherent in the surrounding nature. This is a landscape garden, a characteristic feature of which is the natural layout. Communication with nature helped to form a deep inner peace and tranquility, the value of which was promoted by the great thinkers of the past Confucius and Lao Tzu.
Principles of Organization of the Chinese Garden
Gardens in China were created so that a person could fully feel himself a part of nature, one of its manifestations. In this isolated world, not only the body, but also the soul had to rest. Merging with nature was achieved through meditation, walks in the morning and evening hours, contemplation of the moon. Such a garden is beautiful in any weather.
The three fundamental principles that are used to create Chinese gardens are:
- The Garden is the embodiment of Nature, so spontaneity in it should prevail over the evidence and geometric alignment of forms.
- The owner of the garden embodies the forces of Nature, determining the place of symbolic images in his own self-sufficient microuniverse.
- The illusion of isolation of the microworld is achieved by using a multifaceted perspective and the effect of curled space, when winding paths and bridges make a person go from one part of the garden to another longer than necessary.
The harmony of the Chinese garden is achieved by mutual compensation of the effects of two elements: yang (masculine) and yin (feminine). Stone is considered the personification of yang, and water embodies yin. Stones and water are indispensable elements of the Chinese style.
The Chinese garden, even in confined spaces, can look like a whole world
The attractiveness of the Chinese garden does not depend on weather or season
Symbolism of water in Asian culture
Water is a constant companion of Chinese life. As a rule, it is not customary to trim the water surface from the world of people in China with high banks or special fences. Water is an integral part of everyday life. A small path of large boulders submerged in the ground can lead to it. Small bridges were thrown across reservoirs.
The water in the Chinese-style garden represents the feminine - yin energy
And traditional gazebos were often located near water or on an island in the middle of it. A special arrangement of roofs in tea houses allowed rainwater to flow downward, creating a semblance of waterfalls.
Using stones in a Chinese garden
The Chinese perceive stones as living creatures that observe, understand, live their lives and even have magical properties. Harmony in the arrangement of garden stones is extremely important because it correctly organizes the movement of energy flows.
Especially valuable are old stones that have lain in water for a long time.
The energy value of each stone depends on its shape, size, color. Interaction with other boulders can enhance or weaken the influence of each pebble. Their combined effect on organs and human health should be beneficial. Visiting his garden in the Chinese style, its owner must gain vigor, health, desire to live life to the fullest.
Chinese-style garden furnishings
There are certain attributes that even a person unfamiliar with the Chinese style sees without fail will recognize it.
Garden walls. For zoning the garden in China often use low internal walls. Despite the fact that they are made of stone, they cannot be called heavy. The light tone of the walls creates a spectacular background for the garden plants, and the openings in them help to direct the visitor's eyes so that the next corner of the garden appears before him in all its glory.
White wall - great background for garden plants
Garden windows and moon gate. Windows are small openings in the inner walls of the garden, allowing you to see the next part of the garden in the form of a picture on the wall. The window can serve as a frame for this living landscape. Often the windows are decorated with wrought iron bars. "Moon Gate" - holes in the wall in the growth of man. They come in different shapes and accentuate the visitor’s eyes, helping him to choose the most suitable angle for observation.
Windows can serve as a frame for a “picture” of the garden, wrought iron lattices adorn the windows
“Moon Gate” allows you to look at the garden from the right angle
Entrance gate. This design element is also traditional. Wooden gates painted brown or red and performing a more symbolic function, are decorated with a roof and are very decorative.
Red or brown entrance gates fulfill a more decorative function
Water. In the center of even small gardens, a pond is a must. Koi carps, lotuses in the pond and composition around it are a typical element of the Chinese garden.
The pond is a traditional element of the Chinese garden, and the fish and lotuses in it invariably attract attention
Compositions of stones. Large stone piles represent immortality. But you can confine yourself to bonseki - a stone miniature that fits on a tray, which is mounted on a special stand next to the wall.
Compositions of stones can be large and small
Pergolas. Curved roofs and rich decoration of arbors will not allow to doubt that they are an attribute of the Chinese garden. Use them for relaxation, tea drinking and meditation.
Traditional Chinese gazebo - the basis of style
Bridges. Stone, bamboo and wood are excellent materials for curved bridges over a water obstacle.
Bamboo, stone or wood produce concise and attractive bridges.
Chinese lanterns. Forged or paper red lanterns are placed on the wall of the house, they also decorate the arbor. In addition to giving a special oriental flavor, they simply participate in lighting the space.
From paper, metal or glass - flashlights create a mood
Paving. This technique allows you to organically fit tracks into the overall landscape of the site. Often pebbles lay out patterns or place it in waves.
Pebble paving - a traditional Chinese technique
Lions A pair of sculptures of stone lions, frozen on guard at the entrance to the garden, helps the owners protect themselves from uninvited guests and other troubles.
The Chinese are building their garden as a personal piece of paradise
The Chinese saw their garden as a corner of paradise on earth, which means that it must be separate and complete. When there is a feeling that nothing needs to be added or taken away, a state of security and serenity sets in. Then loneliness and immersion in one’s own worldview is perceived as grace.
