From Chinese garden to Zen garden

Chinese have had an interest in collecting rocks for their gardens for least 2000 years. These rocks represent the essence of natural forces and nature and served as an aesthetic purpose in the garden.

The rocks were often shaped by natural forces, mostly water.

In the garden they can represent several things; mini mountains combined with mini trees (Bonzai) to create a representation of a miniature Chinese Landscape.

Mountains have always been very sacred in China. Also because immortals lived in the grottos of the mountains.

Very large stone were perforated by the water to shape many holes and indentations. This delivered very sought after shapes which were regarded as highly aesthetic.

The creation of the Japanese Zen Garden is based on the same thoughts and ideas.

Rocks surrounded by the gravel. The gravel is raked into flowing patterns which represent water.

The japanese zen garden has found it’s inspiration in Chinese gardens with the rocks. These rock are one example.

The Japanese zen buddhists took it up a notch and made the gardens even more meditative and a place of contemplation. Where people try to find the essence of nature and subsequently the essence of yourself.

The mountain is quiet but turns active when water flows. Rocks are static but become lively when trees grow.

by Da Chong Guang, Qing dynasty