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| We returned to Chinatown to take a tour of the Classical Chinese Gardens, this time we found the front Gate. |
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| And the back side to the gate. |
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| When you take the tour they have you wait in this unassuming sparsely furnished room. But it is Obvious the craftsmanship is top notch. |
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| We soon learn that everything is constructed by hand, no power tools, using Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) building techniques. |
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| In March of 1985 53 experts from china began work and spent 13 months constructing the Gardens and buildings. |
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| The architectual components were shipped from China: the hand fired roof tiles, carved woodwork, lattice windows, limestone rocks, and the courtyard pebbles. |
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| Elizabeth, our guide, a young Doctoral Candidate. |
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| The Yin (darker and rounder) and Yang (lighter and rectangular) are represented through out and Balance is the product |
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| The Shizou style Gardens represent the apex of Chinese philosophy, art, and calligraphy. |
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| Hard to believe they did this in 13 months, lots of small stones on edge. |
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| Stone is always paired with living Bamboo shoots in a Scholars Garden. |
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| The walkways are either curved or not straight to discourage spirits from inhabiting. The Front Door is offset from the entryway and interior doors to also prevent spirits from entering since they travel in straight lines. |
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| The Circle represents Heaven |
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| The Square represents Earth |
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| Here you can sit between Heaven and Earth and think about it! |
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| A serene respite from the Megalopolis |
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| The windows are called Leak Windows as they Leak light and air |
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Each time you walk on the Turtle Back stone steps you add weeks to your life span.
The light area is called Yang. It represents the following general qualities: Light, Solar, Day, Masculine, Active, Analytical, Dominant, Aggressive, Left-Brain, Right-Body |
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| The roof tiles create a Drip Curtain around the sidewalk when it rains |
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| Bonsai |
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| The bench was especially built for the comfort of women sitting. |
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My Yin
The dark area is Yin, which represents the expression of the following qualities: Dark, Lunar, Night, Feminine, Passive, Intuitive, Submissive,Right-Brain, Left-Body. |
From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang |
| In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (also, yin-yang or yin yang) describes how apparently opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Many tangible dualities (such as light and dark, fire and water, expanding and contracting) are thought of as physical manifestations of the duality symbolized by yin and yang. This duality lies at the origins of many branches of classical Chinese science and philosophy, |
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Completley Zenned Up, on the Amtrak heading South to Seattle
Zen emphasizes rigorous meditation-practice, insight into Buddha-nature, and the personal expression of this insight in daily life, especially for the benefit of others. |
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| The Admiral told me about this old Wooden ship she saw on the ride up, Engineer going to fast to get a clear pic. |
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| Sunsets are way better on a Train than a car! |
Vancouver - Classical Chinese Garden of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen
Or The Yin and Yang Center of Vancouver
Again our daughter comes through again and lets us know she got us a late check out. So we left our stuff in the room and walked a different route to Chinatown. We wanted to get a last tour in and was sure the Dr. Sun Yat-Sun Classical Chinese Garden would be worth it. The Ming Dynasty Building has no screws, glues, or nails. Using joinery that will last century's, smooth and soft, light and shadows, yin and yank, balance throughout. If one area is masculine the the adjacent area is feminine. Hard and soft areas. The planning and consideration that goes into every space integrates light, air, function, and how the body, mind and soul responds.
When the time comes for us to move back into our home in Austin, I think we may spend a little time on the Feng Shui.
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