If there is one thing that the Western world has always wanted to borrow from Eastern philosophy, it is the impulse towards spiritualism… that meditative Zen state that is able to lift us above the grayness of life. and problems. The growing need for inner peace then makes us introduce elements of this philosophy into our daily lives, including our interiors and exteriors. The Zen garden is a gardening trend that is currently very popular and today we are going to show you how to transform your garden into a peaceful little paradise.
What is a Zen garden?
The Zen garden is first and foremost a place that breathes calm and serenity – a veritable sanctuary nestled in nature. Inspired by Eastern philosophies, this Japanese-style garden is designed with the aim of creating a spiritual paradise for its visitors. For this reason, everything is organized around the concept of nature – the ultimate refuge for man in search of peace. Then there is the harmony that is achieved through the use of geometric shapes. However, simplicity and minimalism are highly appreciated, as well as the absence of structure and regular and well-defined lines. Finally, the garden should imitate nature in its pure and raw state.
A traditional zen garden in stone and abundant vegetation to create a quiet little refuge outside
Apart from that, the Japanese garden is also organized around certain symbolic beliefs, first and foremost that of odd rhythm. That is to say, when you arrange the elements of your garden, you must take care to group them by odd number. If you decide on a green corner with a few plants, for example, consider planting 3.5 or 7 of these instead… In the Japanese tradition, odd numbers are considered lucky charms.
A modern house, whose exterior layout is inspired by the tradition of the Zen garden
The essential elements for setting up a Zen garden?
In general, the style of each Zen garden is one of a kind and has its own charm. Still, there are a few essentials you can find in almost every such garden: The mineral element has enjoyed special attention from Japanese culture since ancient times. A symbol of resistance and firmness, the stone gives a particular character to the garden.
The material is ubiquitous in contemporary Zen gardens and could be encountered in various forms. Large stones symbolize mountains and hills and often serve as the central accent of certain decorative scenes. Or, they could also be used as the main material for building paths. Pebbles, on the other hand, are most often used in the construction of stone bridges and rivers.
And finally, there is gravel and sand, which are often used as the base covering for Japanese gardens. There is even a type of Japanese garden called dry which is only composed of mineral elements.
Water also occupies an essential place in the Zen garden. Most often associated with calm and renewal, water is likewise to be found in various forms – waterfalls, streams, fountains, reflecting pools or sometimes simple water basins. It is not uncommon to also see small romantic ponds. These are sometimes home to carp (koi) which add an element of vitality to the garden.
A very small pond, surrounded by stone and vegetation in a splendid Zen garden
The bridge – one of the essential characteristics of Zen decoration
Green vegetation has taken over this small outdoor sanctuary. The flowers are not very typical for the Japanese garden but anyway why not. It’s pretty!
Very cute Japanese statuettes – zen and personalizing garden decoration
A large Buddha statue to set up in your Japanese Zen garden to create a focal point
A miniature reproduction of a Japanese landscape with all the natural elements to create a successful Zen decoration
Zen garden decoration, equipped with wooden separation and bamboos that hide it to create a nice natural effect
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