Yesterday we walked through the elements and meaning of a Japanese Garden. Today I wanted to create a similar miniature garden to be a place to connect and reflect.
Mizu = Water
First we will lay our sand. White sand is often used to represent water, and that water represents peace, stillness, and also emptiness, meant for less distractions for clarity. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:2-3
Yesterday we walked through the elements and meaning of a Japanese Garden. Today I wanted to create a similar miniature garden to be a place to connect and reflect.
Mizu = Water
First we will lay our sand. White sand is often used to represent water, and that water represents peace, stillness, and also emptiness, meant for less distractions for clarity. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:2-3
Its also cleansing, and able to make holy.
Ishi = Rocks
Stones will be our strong points in the garden, the larger ones will speak of strength, power, and words of faith, peace and healing. The smaller ones will be used to form paths. “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40
Shokobutsu = Plants
The Plants selected represent life and flexibility, growth, and tranquility.
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
Luke 12:27
Tenkeibutsu = Ornaments
The lights being used are to shine light on a path, which represents His word as a light unto my feet. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
Shakkei = Borrowed Scenery
Shakkei is the design of the garden to show the connection between all things not only just in it, but surrounding it too. Setting this in a tray makes it a portable bridge to a secret place in my heart and head.
Jesus had a spot in a real garden to pray, that was a place he could think and have His alone time with God. When we sit and need things to start us off, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phillippians 4:8 seems to be my go to scripture.
Hashi = Bridges
Speaking of bridges, I’m going to have to build a little bridge myself, but this whole thing is a bridge. When I am able to sit in my thinking chair and look into this garden, I can instantly cross over from the cares of this world, into my own little garden that has faith, serenity, balance, peace, harmony, and hope!
