The garden in Korean culture has a significant cultural significance and is often used for rituals and ceremonies. It is also used as a place for recreation and relaxation. There are many common styles of garden in Korean culture.
Meaning of garden
Korean garden culture is about creating a harmony between the natural and manmade world. In this context, the garden is a visual and audio manifestation of cosmic principles. It is a form of art incorporating nature, technology, and architecture.
The most basic element in a Korean garden is the rock arrangement. Rocks were essential for a successful garden in the earliest era of agriculture. They were also a crucial component of shamanic rituals. Often, rock arrangements are made in the shape of heavenly altars.
Another important element is water. The garden is usually filled with clear, cool water. This is because the temperature of the water is needed for plant irrigation.
Gardening in Korea has been a practice for over two thousand years. The pagodas and gardens of the Joseon dynasty were patronized by the kings. A number of monks and saints were involved in the digging of the gardens.
A large part of the Korean garden culture is based on Confucianism, which focuses on the balance of human relations. Gardens in Korean cultures are more natural and less formal than those in the west.
Cultural significance of the garden
The cultural significance of the garden in Korean culture can be traced back to the early Koryo dynasty. This era represented the longing for health, happiness and immortality. These beliefs were reflected in the garden architecture.
Throughout history, garden makers have been intent on recreating an earthly paradise. For some, it was a place to enjoy nature, for others it was a place of meditation. In the end, gardens were places of fun, where people could socialize and relax.
In Korea, the garden is the reflection of the inner world. Gardens are usually constructed with streams and ponds. They also include a decorative pavilion.
The most significant elements in a traditional Korean garden tend to face east. Other features include rivers, ponds and bridges. Water is a key element in a Korean garden because it is useful for cooling temperature.
A typical Korean garden includes flowerbeds, streams, pavilions and rock arrangements. In the early days, a bamboo grove was common in an ordinary home garden. Today, taller trees are used to form lush woodlands.
Common styles of Korean gardens
Korean gardens are designed to create an environment in which nature and man merge harmoniously. This is done through the use of natural arrangements of plants, water and rocks. The result is a visually appealing, calming and soothing place.
Traditionally, Korean gardens were small in size and were made to look as much like the natural landscape as possible. Although Korean gardens have evolved since the early days, they are still characterized by a traditional spiritual symbolism.
They are arranged with an emphasis on the natural landscape and often include pavillions and pavilions. These are placed in areas where there is a view of the surrounding mountains and hills.
Korean garden culture has been developing for over two thousand years. It is also based on a philosophy of harmony with the natural world. Garden owners are encouraged to build their gardens without making any significant changes to the existing landscape.
Korean garden architecture is influenced by Korean ideology, the natural environment, and human values. Unlike Japanese gardens, Korean gardens are not enclosed.
Book review of a book on Korean gardens
Korean gardens are less formal than Japanese gardens. They are more natural, less symmetrical, and more intimate with the land. This book offers a good introduction to traditional Korean gardens. The author provides lively descriptions and observations of the beauty of Korean gardens.
The book covers 80+ beautiful Korean tea gardens and historical tea culture sites, plus a guide to modern Korean tea industry. It also includes maps of cultural sites. The author, Esther Yoo, is a well-traveled writer with a deep understanding of Korea. She is represented by Linda Epstein at the Emerald City Literary Agency.
The author’s mother had a garden. She made blackberry jam, and she foraged wild blackberries and mushrooms for money. Throughout her life, her mother was subject to constant stressors. As an immigrant of color, her mother’s life was a traumatic one.
Her father was a merchant marine. He had several heart attacks during his teen years. When he moved to the United States, his family decided to move to a small town in Minnesota.