Chinese garden

The Chinese (Scholar's) Garden is a place for solitary or social contemplation of nature. To be considered authentic, a garden must be built and planned around seven essential elements.

Chinese gardens were created in the same way as a combination of landscape and paintings together with poems - this was the so-called "poetic garden." The design of Chinese gardens was to provide a spiritual utopia for one to connect with nature, to come back to one's inner heart, to come back to ancient idealism. Chinese gardens are a spiritual shelter for men, a place they could be far away from their real social lives, and close to the ancient way of life, their true selves, and nature. This was an escape from the frustration and disappointment of the political problems in China. They used plants as symbols. Bamboo was used in every traditional Chinese garden. This is because bamboo represents a strong but resilient character. Often times pine is used to represent longevity, persistence, tenacity and dignity. The lotus is used to symbolize purity. The flowering plum is one of the most important aspects of a Chinese garden, it represents renewal and strength of will. The chrysanthemum is use to symbolize spledor, luster and "the courage to make sacrifices for a natural life". Peonies symbolize wealth and banana trees are used simply for the sound they make in the breeze.

Rock

Decorative rocks, sometimes termed Chinese scholar's rocks, are used both for structural and sculptural purposes. The sculptural Taihu rock is especially prized because it represents wisdom and immortality, and is only procurable from Tai Lake, just west of Suzhou.

Water

Chinese gardens usually feature a central pond and several offshooting streams. The softness of water offsets the solidity of the rocks, while also acting to reflect the constantly changing sky above. Goldfish and mandarin ducks are two of the most commonly raised fauna.

Architecture

The architecture of a garden consists of pavilions for various purposes, walkways, and outer and inner walls.

Pavement

The pavement of a Chinese Scholar's Garden might include intricate natural patterns or simply dirt depending on the wealth and mission of the owner.

Decoration

Decoration consists of calligraphy carved into rocks or walls, and lattice windows.

Plants

Many garden plants have essential symbology. Pine trees represent wisdom and bamboo represents strength and upright morality. Plum trees are also extremely valuable to the Chinese for their beautiful pink and white blooms during winter. Chrysanthemums were also extremely well-loved because of their autumn bloom (when most plants wither and die) and symbolizes the perfect Confusician scholar. Peonys symbolizes wealth and power, and the lotus symbolizes purity (also a revered Buddhist plant). Orchids, china roses, azaleas, sambac (arabian jasmine), sweet osmanthus, and maples were also planted.

The variety of sensory features enhance a garden's appeal. Windows frame garden views. Trees and flowers provide aroma. Even the intricate designs of pavement and gravel offer tactile enjoyment.

Suzhou (pronounced Sue-Joe), in eastern China is widely known for its numerous private scholar gardens.

List of Chinese Gardens

Alphabetically by city

Inside China

Outside China

The Chinese Garden of Montréal Botanical Garden in Canada
The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden in New York, USA
Portland Classical Chinese Garden in Oregon, USA
Seattle Chinese Garden Society in Washington, USA
Jurong Gardens in Singapore
Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney, Australia
Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver, B.C., Canada

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