About Zen Garden Designs

By Lynda Altman, eHow Contributor

About Zen Garden Designs

Unlike Western gardens that are full of plants and maybe a pathway, Zen gardens are simplistic and reflect Asian philosophies of the Buddhists, Shinto and Zen. Many ancient principles are applied in creating the Zen garden.

1. Balance

   • Every Zen garden must have balance. Movement is complemented by stillness. Life is complemented with stone.

   Simplicity

   • Zen gardens are simplistic in their design. A few plants and well-placed stone features are all that are required.

   Gravel

   • Gravel raked into a pattern

     The Zen garden contains soil or gravel that is raked into a pattern. This gives the garden movement and can represent water.

   Plants

   • Few plants are required. Cherry trees, Chinese maples, grasses and moss are the most common. Plantings are designed to show the change of the seasons.

   Stone

   • The large rock appears to be a boat in an ocean

     Zen gardens contain stones. Walls, lanterns and stones of varying sizes are used to complement the plant life, as a place to rest or meditate and as a focal point.

   Purpose

   • The Zen garden is a place to reflect and meditate. It's a place to find inner calmness and peace.

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