Lines (wabi-sabi)

    The gardens at each of the places we visited on Saturday, Ryoanji, Ginkakuji, and Nanzenji, were beautiful! They actually did feel like great places to just sit quietly for even very long periods of time. It was also kind of extra vibe-y with the rain, as you could listen to it falling and watch the drops. The gardens and even just generally the grounds themselves seemed to reflect wabi-sabi principles and were enjoyable to see! They all felt quite connected with nature and peaceful to me. There were many different aspects that could be covered, but I will be writing about the lines in the sand or gravel.

    I think that an iconic part of zen gardens is the lines drawn in the sand or gravel, and many people would recognize it. According to what we had learned before and some more internet searching, the lines can mean a variety of things. In creating zen gardens initially, one designer said that these are how artists can express an emotion that has been discovered but cannot be directly said. The garden is something not just to be looked at, but also to be understood.

    The big spaces of just gravel contrasts with the rocks or plants, giving a sense of the emptiness there which can help one empty their mind. The simplicity calms and invites contemplation. The lines have been said to often represent water. Wavy lines may represent flowing water and the fluidity of life, straight lines contrast and balance with representing still water or order and structure. But overall, the point is that the meaning can’t be explained so you just have to see it and experience it yourself to feel the meaning.

I think that this reflects multiple of the wabi-sabi values, such as being austere and relying on suggestion or mystery. It is very simple and plain, which is conducive to one calming their mind and being able to meditate. And it doesn’t necessarily have a set meaning, so people can view the garden and interpret it for themselves.