The Chinese Garden
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A moon gate, topped by two granite dragons, carved in China, welcomes the visitor to our Chinese garden. Funds for the dragons were raised, in part, by visiting Chinese teachers from our sister city, Luoyang. This garden is enclosed in order to represent what a nobleman’s walled garden might have looked like in ancient China. Chinese gardens are intimate microcosms, symbolizing a whole universe in one's backyard. The principles of Feng Shui – the ancient Chinese belief that the positioning and physical characteristics of a home affect the fortunes of the owner – are used in the design, creating free flowing movement throughout. Rocks, water, architecture and plants are main areas of focus in the garden. A Chinese inscription on the moon gate entrance will welcome visitors to the garden. The visitor will especially want to note the “tree” peonies in the garden, as tree peonies are not typically found in U.S. gardens. Our sister city, Luoyang, is the Peony Capitol of China. |