In response to Tina’s prompt for the Lens-Artists Challenge number 44 – harmony
© irene waters 2019
Chinese gardens have been evolving over the last 3000 years and have been built by emperors and other nobility to give pleasure or impress or by scholars as areas to reflect and escape the outside world. They are an idealised landscape designed to show harmony between man and nature.
© irene waters 2019
The common elements of a Chinese garden include water, buildings, rocks and vegetation.
© irene waters 2019
Even the paving is designed to delight.
© irene waters 2019
Typically the garden is enclosed behind walls and will include one or more ponds, strategically placed rocks, zig zagging paths, trees and flowers and a number of buildings and pavillions that are connected via the paths and bridges.
© irene waters 2019
The garden is designed to be looked at from within these rooms giving the viewer a different carefully landscaped view from each window and door.
© irene waters 2019
This garden called “The Garden of Harmony” or Yuyuan in Chinese was built in the Qing Dynasty by an official Gu Wenbin and is found in Suzhou. It was started in 1874 and has gradually evolved from that time.
© irene waters 2019
© irene waters 2019
© irene waters 2019
© irene waters 2019
© irene waters 2019
© irene waters 2019
© irene waters 2019
© irene waters 2019
© irene waters 2019
A wonderful, calming place to wander and view the harmony between man and nature.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Absolutely beautiful pictures, Irene.
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Thanks Robbie. It was an absolutely beautiful garden. The kind you’d like for your own so that you didn’t have to share it with oodles of others.
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What a perfect choice for the “Harmony” theme, Irene. Beautiful shots. I especially love the pink flower. 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Patti. Yes, I agree, that pink flower is gorgeous.
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Such beautiful gardens. 🙂
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Thanks Marje. It was a beautiful garden and even with a lot of people visiting, it gave a feeling of peace.
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Sounds so wonderfully tranquil Irene. 🙂
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these are amazingly beautiful and well thought out
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I agree Beth. The Chinese and Japanese seem to have an innate sense for what is calming.
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A lovely choice Irene. We visited this garden a few years ago and yes, its a perfect example of harmony. Terrific images of a great choice
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Thanks Tina. I’d love to see it in full bloom. I love the thought of us both having experienced the garden and the harmony the designer created.
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Gorgeous images. You’re a master at framing. Many people don’t realize how much of great photography results from the photographer’s vision, not the stuff in front of him but the way he perceives it.
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Gosh Sharon that is a fabulous compliment and one I’m happy to accept as I have to admit I don’t take a lot of time composing my photos ( Roger would become even more demented) but I do attempt to frame them.
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