Who is making patterns in Zen Gardens? Uncover the mystery!

zen garden sand patternSand Patterns

By the way, when you see its beauty and perfection of the sand patterns in zen gardens, the first thing that springs up is a simple question, “Who is drawing such delicate patterns on sand?”

Sand patterns are made there like a crop circle, in a perfect and beautiful way. Actually, it’s not the gardener who makes them. According to what I’ve learned, priests studying zen do as part of their training, or priests at temples draw by himself!

Even if I understand that, it’s really hard to believe…After drawing the patterns, don’t you think if you walk there again, those patterns on the sand will collapse?

So here, I will clarify how the sand pattern is drawn.

Here are how to draw sand patterns;

  1. First of all, use Reiki, a broom-like wooden tool, to level the sand cleanly even. The design of sand patterns in an entire garden seems to be decided in advance by each temple.
  2. From the smoothed sand, this time we will use Reiki of which tip is like a comb, and make various sand patterns. Instead of pushing Reiki forward to make a pattern, draw Reiki backwards so that the pattern does not disappear with footmarks, that is, walk backwards.

I suppose it’s hard to understand even if you look at this explanation! So let’s take a look here! “Seeing is believing”, isn’t it?

【WEB動画】2020年 早春「枯山水の作り方 解説版_妙心寺 退蔵院」篇

【WEB動画】2020年 早春「枯山水の音_龍安寺」篇

Even so, it doesn’t look that easy, and it must also take a lot of physical strength, it seems.

By the way, for those beautiful patterns drawn on the white sand, there are various ways to draw, and each has a different meaning. Here are some typical ones that are often seen at temples with zen gardens.

water ring

water ring

A sand pattern that shows ripples spread when a drop of water falls on a water surface. I find this to be the most beautiful one.

 

ripple wave

ripple wave

A sand pattern that represents a calm water surface or flow. At Ryoanji, which is famous for its zen garden in Kyoto, the stone garden (Hojo Garden), which is now the main tourist attraction, has this pattern exquisitely and beautifully drawn in front of the center of the garden, giving it majesty and tranquility.

 

heave

heave

A sand pattern expressing high undulating waves and changes as shown in a photo of zen garden miniature.

 

flowing water

Flowing Water

As the name of the pattern implies, it represents flowing water. It reminds me of a stream and gives me the healing effect, again, as shown in the photo of zen garden miniature.

Want to draw your own patterns? Check out this delicate zen garden miniatures!

wave crest pattern

wave crest pattern

This represents a large wave of rushing. This is also known as a traditional Japanese pattern.

 

checkerboard pattern

checkerboard pattern

This is a lattice pattern with squares lined up like a grid and is one of the traditional patterns in Japan. This pattern has been regarded as an auspicious pattern, and again, as shown in the photo of zen garden miniature.

 

whirlpool (round)

whirlpool (round)

This represents the universe, enlightenment and truth.

 

whirlpool

whirlpool

This represents the universe, enlightenment and truth, as well, as shown in the photo of a left-hand whirlpool drawn in a zen garden miniature.

Here, I tried to show various sand patterns with the pictures. Even though there is no water, Karesansu gardens that can express wave patterns, streams and the sea with only sand and stones are amazing.

Next, in order to further explore the beauty of this Zen Garden, we will introduce you to zen gardens in various places mainly around Kyoto according to the characteristics of the landscapes.

You may find not only the most famous temple, Ryoanji, but also zen gardens that suit your taste.  Please enjoy our post.

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