Sometimes a garden is a simple, landscaped area composed of trees and flowerbeds, but a Chinese garden has more depth and intention than could ever be imagined upon a glance. Traditional Chinese gardens are meant to evoke the feeling of being in the larger world and wandering through the landscape, a microcosm of sorts. Even more intriguing are that the elements of the garden contain a deep symbolic meaning and their goal is to allow the landscape to flow with universal energy (‘qi’). The selection and location of trees, plants, rocks and built elements are designed to live in harmony and entice all our senses at once.

In a Chinese garden, harmony is of the utmost importance, creating a space where the elements balance each other, representing different aspects of yin and yang. This goes back even to the age of Confucius and Taoist philosophies, where it is believed that balance can be achieved by coupling opposites. The Chinese garden utilizes contrasting elements, juxtaposing opposites in a well thought out and harmonious way. Smooth elements are placed near rough ones, dark next to light, etc. And with the garden representing the world at large, achieving harmony in the garden reflects the goal of balance in life.

This microcosm not only has such purpose and direction but also great symbolism, down to its smallest details. The Chinese garden is based on four main design elements: water, stone, plants, and architecture. Water is the lifeblood of the garden and carries the feminine energy of yin. Streams and small ponds represent rives and oceans. And the element of water, such as a pond, has the duality of empty and full: empty because it mirrors the clear sky and full because it is filled with everything it reflects.

Next comes stone. Stones have been an integral part of Chinese gardens since the 14th century. Originally referred to as ‘scholar rocks’ (collected to aid in a scholar’s study), stones are selected for leanness, perforations, and surface texture. Stones like the traditional Taiho are preferred for their porous texture and top heavy shape, but they also signify wisdom and immortality. In the Chinese garden, stones represent the mountains and peaks of the world.

A third (and quite evident) characteristic of the garden is plants, which represent vitality and serve to signify ancient forests. Those selected should support life in all four seasons, but they also offer poetic meaning and symbolism. Pine, bamboo and plum trees are favored for their longevity and resilience throughout the year. Flowers, such as the lotus are selected for its purity and enlightenment, a vision that reflects the soul coming out of darkness and into the light. The splendor of azaleas, primrose and gentian, which cover the mountain slopes of southwest China, are often featured in the Chinese garden, alongside chrysanthemums for courage and daffodils and narcissus, thought to bring prosperity.

Lastly, architecture in a Chinese garden represents human beings in the natural world. Gardens feature pavilions, bridges, pagodas and gates, in addition to carved lattice screens, whose perforations weave sunlight into the garden in intricate patterns. The architecture provides a place for rest and reflection, a frame in which to view the landscape, and an additional glimpse into the harmonious arrangement of elements.

A Chinese garden is a truly well-thought out art form that can also, as we have seen, inspire us with its profound wisdom. We may or may not have the space or opportunity to create such a garden, but we can take the intention of its elements into our own homes and lives. The garden teaches us to seek harmony and balance and use opposites to do so. This may seem difficult to consider in a home, but in fact, it will create a more interesting space. Perhaps try balancing light with dark, smooth alongside rough, or delicate next to heavy. Take a look at what you have, and try pairing such contrasting elements. Perhaps it is as simple as pairing textured pillows next to smooth ones or adding a simple branch of delicate flowers to a heavy ceramic or stone vase. Playing with opposites in your space can not only draw an immense amount of interest to your surroundings but can even be a fun exercise. In establishing opposites and finding what items pair well, we can create the right balance for our homes and ourselves.

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