''The
lantern is present everywhere''. That might be a rash statement! Yet the obliquitous
lantern is present in a stroll
garden within an Imperial Villa or a courtyard
garden in a private residence. I feel the
lantern offers great symbolism in a Japanese garden. The
lantern presents a
light source and a vertical image (Yang). The
lantern suggests
light after dark and illumination of an object worthy of reflection. The
lantern guides the way and gives the area's emptiness something of life (Yang) and substance. It has meaning. The
lantern dissociated from plants and living things, from the mosses and grasses and the Azaleas and densely clipped shrubs of Kyoto.
The
lantern comes in so many shapes and sizes. No doubt each shape represents a history and legacy steeped into time. And whatever the site requires no doubt a
lantern style can be found to fill that space. Some lanterns no more than 30cm in height and others noticed in Kyoto up to 1.6-1.8 metres tall. There must be
lantern factories somewhere. Smaller lanterns seen closer to the pathway and larger ones set into the distance. Maybe set onto the ground within a clump of trees to accentuate change.
Lantern constructed usually of stone or marble and containing a hood. A heart for the location of the flame, a stem to elevate it from the ground and a base for attachment. It maybe 3 sided, 4 sided coned hood, pyramid hood, circular or rectangular stem, single leg or treble leg. Suggesting the
lantern offers a versatile inclusion to a Japanese styled garden.
But why is it a necessary inclusion? To guide the visitor along a pathway after dusk? To view from a distance to symbolise? To radiate
light onto water for reflection or a plant or pebble or stone? Is the
lantern a Yang intrusion to add life after dark (and the Yin world of darkness)? Is the
lantern a symbol of life or inclusion of human intervention upon a setting?
The
lantern offers Yang to reduce the dominance of Yin. The white circle in the black. The fire to shield from the cold. The life to enlighten and vitalise from the dark. The
lantern to me holds a symbolic place and has practicalities. Yes I'm a harmonious chi gardener and I'll believe all that.
The
lantern is perfect. It offers Yang in a Yin environment. The
lantern postures. It represents timeliness. Night and day, year after year. It transcends time and its physical structure and design perfectly attune to the climate of Japan by offering a hood for the snow and ice and a roof and walls to protect the flame. The
lantern can sit beside a pond, in the pond, within a corner of the
garden, alongside a pathway. I wouldn't locate it where the sha (detrimental) energy can extinguish it e.g., exposed on a hill in a gully or swamp where the constant damp will extinguish the flame or if used in a low place lifted above it on a pedestal to become a beacon similar to a
light on a seashore guiding ships at sea.
Other Articles of Ross Lamond
Learning the art of feng shui may seem to be a daunting task because it has been perceived as a practice full of magic and mystery This notion of ambiguity and mysticism is what drives people to embark on such a special undertaking
(Mar 07, 2012)
The Chinese belief that placing, arranging, and re-arranging objects and furniture in the house encourage the positive flow of energy force (also known as chi or qi), which consequently brings in harmony in life Such harmony then attracts beneficial effects such as good health, more wealth, and peaceful relationships
(Mar 07, 2012)
Feng Shui has been used by many people in order to invite good energy inside their home The use of Feng Shui inside your garden can bring luck, success, peace of mind, good health, money, good relationship any many more
(Feb 18, 2012)
Having just returned to Australia (after being advised to get out of Myanmar before the elections results are posted), I want to comment on some observations while on a travel journey into this beautiful, fractured and brittle land
Firstly the Military, and presumably soon to be anointed Government, hold within its power and control eighty to ninety percent 80-90% of the country’s wealth
(Feb 18, 2012)
I was having a game of golf at Nambucca Heads on the New South Wales Mid North Coast of Australia, and my playing partner asked me what was I doing next in life I had just returned from overseas and I think the locals get a fair bit of chat material from my movements and things I get up to
(Feb 18, 2012)
Feng Shui comes from the Chinese culture When you talk about Feng Shui in the Garden, you need to keep in mind three important things and these are pond, pool, and fountain
(Feb 18, 2012)
Progress, and the new decking and veranda to Number 3 is in place and providing the location to ensconce myself upon a chair to imagine the beneficial Chi I hope to create I'm sitting on the chair because this is the place I want as the core of Chi, a place where the energy of my surroundings come to me and harmonise me
(Jan 05, 2012)
Time waits for no one as the saying goes and progress, I'm not too sure It requires commitment and effort, but Number 3 is changing and becoming closer to have a go at some gardening
(Jan 05, 2012)
Transformations, transformations and a need to work, but Number 3 Lorikeet Lane is getting there and the garden is taking shape
It definitely is a garden on the curve and I've deliberately set it out to ensure not one straight line of vision or image is projected
(Jan 05, 2012)
Wow What a mess
(Jan 05, 2012)
