While researching Chinese garden history, I learned that the
essential elements of Chinese gardens include rocks, water, plants, and
structure. The arts—including poetry, landscape painting, and calligraphy, and wine
with friends are also important factors. According to Thacker in The History of Gardens, “It is difficult
to draw a line between the landscape garden in China and the landscape”.
Chinese gardens are abstracted in that elements have symbolic meaning; for
example, bamboo symbolizes resilience, the crane longevity, and the plum tree
endurance.
- Rocks – water-worn rocks with clefts and fissures are highly desired. They evoke the mist-shrouded mountain ranges of the larger landscape.
- Water – water in the garden symbolizes tranquility. The water surface reflects the surrounding garden; green water is more effective for reflection than clear water.
- Plants – plants are selected for their symbolism, and foliage is valued as much as flowers. The basic palate of plants includes pine, cypress, maple, bamboo, winter-flowering plum, rhododendron, and chrysanthemum.
- Structure – buildings and courtyards for gathering, and paths and corridors for exploring the landscape are essential. Walls for capturing shadows and displaying poetry are important. Windows and frames for viewing and meditating on the landscape are used. Panels depicting landscape scenes are equivalent to landscape in nature.
To see many of these elements, check online for videos about the Suzhou Garden in China.
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