If asked the majority of people would say that the garden pond hobby is a relatively new phenomenon. The main reasons for this being its increasing cover on TV and in media circles.
They are often surprised to learn that it is in fact one of the cornerstones of civilisation and has been an important and inspirational component of peoples religious and everyday lives for thousands of years.
As far as is known the earliest records of people creating water gardens for relaxation and delight date back to about 3000 BC. The ancient Egyptians laid out formal ponds often surrounded by fruit trees and decorative plants and grasses in the walled courtyards of their houses.
Wealthy Roman homes tended to be designed around a large colonnaded central courtyard with pools, fountains and water features, providing shade on hot afternoons and a means of escape from the often chaotic and dirty streets outside. However, public baths often had a water garden area where the general public could relax away from their daily troubles.
The Moors and Persians created truly intoxicating water gardens set in enclosed connected courtyards. The water courses and pools were built with brightly coloured ceramic tiles and together with a formal design to join the various courtyards, these gardens had an intimate and luxurious feel. The Moors and Persians also used fruit trees and decorative plants carefully arranged in formal compositions.
People in Japan and China have been perfecting the art of water gardening for thousands of years. There it truly is an art, practised by the masters of the craft. The teachings of zen, harmony, peace of mind and restraint are used to carefully plan and create the individual persons ideal of their perfect environment. Japanese water gardens chiefly focus on a large, deep and clear pond devoid of plant life but housing any number of attractively colourful koi carp.
Unlike the gardens of the Moors and Egyptians the Japanese garden is not really a home for fruit trees. The position of every tree and flower is carefully contemplated, spiritual comfort and pleasure the only goals.
In Europe over recent centuries only the super rich and royalty could afford the decadence and luxury of ornate water gardens, you need only look at the huge amount of great homes in Europe with extensive watercourses and bodies.
Its only in the last few decades that we have enjoyed a real Water Garden Renaissance, with it expanding and growing as more and more people come to understand how spiritually relaxing and revitalising a well planned water garden can be.
Mark Best writes articles that help people to build a Fantastic Garden Pond of their own. For all aspects of pond life and down to earth Garden Pond Advice visit him now!
