Understanding Your Asian-Style Fountainâs Symbolism by Chris Gill
Whether as part of a general Asian dcor style or for the practice of feng shui, Asian style water fountains are among the most popular varieties today. The water fountain specialists at Water Fountain Place have extensive experience with Asian-style fountains, and offer this quick guide to three traditional styles
Koi Water Fountains
Koi (a Japanese ornamental carp similar to goldfish) are probably the most popular Asian influence on modern water fountain design. They are especially popular in outdoor fountains. Many people think of the koi as an ancient symbol due to the Westâs fascination with Eastern mysticism, but in fact, koi were first bread in Japan in the 1800s. As koi are often kept in Japanese gardens, a koi fountain evokes the idea of traditional activities such as poetry, contemplation and relaxation with oneâs friends.
Note that Zen gardens are dry (not an easy environment for a carp!), so koi are not strictly a Zen symbol, but represent the âfloating worldâ ((Ukiyo) of artistic, pleasurable living that came to prominence after the end of Japanâs bloody civil wars. This is the age and environment that inspired famous woodblock prints of geisha, samurai and sumo wrestlers. So as you can see, a little fish on your fountain might mean a lot!
Raku Ware and Tea Ceremony Style Water Fountains
Raku Ware refers to a pottery style used in Japanese tea ceremony (chaonyu) vessels. Classic raku ware consists of a shiny black finish, the artistic imperfections (real or simulated) of handcrafted work. Itâs a very popular style to transfer to water fountains. There are also a few fountains inspired by the modern style, which uses more color and symmetry.
Many indoor and outdoor fountains are even designed to mimic the appearance of tea ceremony vessels. This is fitting; in the Way of Tea (chado) the implements of the scoop, whisk and caddy are treated with extreme reverence. These elements can be incorporated into a fountainâs spout. Sculptures of flowers may also be present to acknowledge the role of a special flower arrangement in the actual ceremony. The Way of Tea is associated with meditation and skill in action. By practicing the tea ceremony with total devotion, one attains mushin (âno-mindâ) or freedom from conscious distractions, so that the simple act of brewing tea becomes a form of meditation.
Chinese Coin Water Fountains and Zennigata
Old Chinese coins can serve as a decorative element in a water fountain or as the basis for the whole fountainâs design. Old Chinese coins have a square hole in the center. This allowed people to tie them together in strings. For centuries, Chinese folk religion has equated coinage with special power. Old coins were made into charms to ward off bad luck and of course, attract wealth and fortune. Coins are incorporated into amulets, clothing and even swords. Coins connect to water because water is a symbol of prosperity in feng shui.
Coin symbolism (and the designed of Chinese coins themselves) also made its way to other Asian societies, including Japan and Korea. Japanese coin-shaped basins called zennigata contain water used for misogi, the practice of ritual purification in the Shinto religion.
Water Fountain Place sells an extensive line of indoor water fountains and outdoor fountains, along with table top fountains, solar fountains and custom fountains. Dedicated to maintaining a full range of water fountains for all budgets, Water Fountain Place offers free shipping on orders over $75 throughout the continental US.
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Understanding-Your-Asian-Style-Fountain—s-Symbolism/548004
Illuminated indoor tabletop water fountain
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TABLETOP FLORAL FANTASY MINI SOOTHING WATER FOUNTAIN $4.87 |
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TABLETOP Lavender FAIRY INDOOR WATER FOUNTAIN – Lighted $49.50 |
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TROPICAL DOLPHIN SUNSET INDOOR TABLETOP WATER FOUNTAIN $5.87 |
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WATER FOUNTAIN – LIGHT-UP GRECIAN URN Table Top FOUNTAIN – New $39.00 |
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pair of Cobalt Blue glass inverted thistle pattern tumblers / cups goblets water $9.99 |
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Hand of Buddha Water Fountain New Age Tabletop Decor $59.95 |
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VINYL GRAPHIC WATER ITALIAN ICE CUP FLAVORS CUSTOM NEW! SET OF 15 FLAVORS $49.99 |
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Winery Wine Bottle Water Fountain Tabletop Home Decor $34.95 |
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TRIBAL MOTHER AND CHILD FIGURE TABLE TOP WATER FOUNTAIN $17.77 |
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2′ x 4′ VINYL BANNER ICE CREAM WATER ICE COLORFUL SIGN $25.00 |
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BRAND NEW WATER JUICE 16 0UNCE TUMBLERS 12 FOR 1 PRICE $12.95 |
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Hand Of Buddha Indoor Tabletop Water Fountain $42.95 |
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San Jamar SAN C3260TBL Large Pull Type Water Cup Dispenser $22.61 |
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Thunder Group PLWP064CL 64 oz. Clear Water Pitcher 1 DOZ $47.43 |
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TABLETOP FOREST THEME WATER FOUNTAIN WITH LIGHTS $50.00 |
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Haier WDNSC145 Convertible Freestanding Full-Size/Tabletop Water Dispenser $123.95 |
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CLASSIC 64oz. STAINLESS STEEL WATER PITCHER CAPCO NEW $14.95 |
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9″H Decorative Table Top Dolphins on Water $59.00 |
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Playful Frog Tabletop Water Fountain $42.95 |
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Playful Gnome Pals Table Top Water Fountain Ship101 39556 $57.99 |
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African Tribal Mother And Child Indoor Tabletop Water Fountain $42.95 |
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Fountain GOLDEN BUDDHA TEMPLE Tabletop Water fountain New $49.54 |
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TABLETOP HAND of BUDDHA INDOOR WATER FOUNTAIN ~ NEW $50.50 |
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WATER FOUNTAIN – LIGHT-UP GRECIAN URN Table Top FOUNTAIN – New $48.49 |
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yellow Vaseline Glass water serving Pitcher dahlia Pattern uranium / dugan style $31.00 |
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vaseline Opalescent Glass water serving Pitcher eyewinker Pattern / tea uranium $18.99 |
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Cobalt Blue Glass water serving Pitcher elizabeth Pattern / lemonaid ice catcher $19.99 |
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Ruby red Glass water serving Pitcher / eyewinker Pattern lemonaid tea art royal $19.99 |
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Amethyst purple Glass water serving Pitcher Grape and cable floral leaf Pattern $17.99 |
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Indoor Rectangle Copper/Slate Tabletop Water Fountain with Stones $195.25 |
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Indoor Layered Copper/Slate Tabletop Water Fountain with Stones $148.45 |
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Indoor Copper/Slate Tabletop Water Fountain with Stones $149.35 |
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ruby red Glass water serving Pitcher inverted thistle Pattern art blossom royal $18.99 |
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Hummingbird and Flowers Tabletop Electric Water Fountain $40.00 |
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Antique Penn 1A Water Pitcher Pump Table Top $68.98 |
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TRIBAL MOTHER AND CHILD FIGURE TABLE TOP WATER FOUNTAIN $31.86 |
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GOLDEN BUDDHA TEMPLE FAUX STONE TABLETOP WATER FOUNTAIN $42.28 |
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WINERY INDOOR TABLE TOP WATER FOUNTAIN HOME DECOR GIFT $22.81 |
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Tabletop Sand & Water Table Play Set Sizzlin Cool $14.99 |
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TABLETOP THIRSTY SEA CAPTAIN SAILOR WATER FOUNTAIN DECO $31.86 |
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JOYFUL MOTHER CHILD ELEPHANT TABLETOP WATER FOUNTAIN $31.86 |
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ROCK DESIGN GIFT INDOOR TABLETOP DESKTOP WATER FOUNTAIN $32.95 |
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TROPICAL DOLPHIN SUNSET INDOOR TABLETOP WATER FOUNTAIN $19.16 |
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TABLETOP FLORAL FANTASY MINI SOOTHING WATER FOUNTAIN $17.68 |
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Pretty Table top water fountain with bonus – FREE Shipping! $22.00 |
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Wine Bottle Grapes Winery Water Tabletop Fountain $18.95 |
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NEW Home Wine Bottle Grapes Water Fountain.Indoor Outdoor.Tabletop Centerpiece. $32.99 |
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Rock Stone LED Indoor Table Top Water Fountain $62.81 |
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Wine Bottle Glass & Grapes Tabletop Water Fountain $21.90 |
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Stone Look Hand Of Buddha Tabletop Water Fountain $33.90 |
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MR.SPRING ROLL’S ( RICE PAPER WATER BOWL $9.99 |
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Grinning Gnomes tabletop water fountain, yard fountains $26.00 |
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Pouring Water on Steps Tabletop Fountain $74.95 |
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Dollhouse Miniature – Tabletop water dispenser $5.50 |
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ROCK DESIGN TABLE TOP FOUNTAIN INDOOR DESK TOP WATER FEATURE NV34807 $32.89 |
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8″ Tall Tabletop Water Fountain Sun Birds Flowers Resin Looks Like Patina Copper $5.00 |
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WATER FOUNTAINS: Lighted Lavender Fairy Waterfall Table Top Fountain NEW $49.83 |
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Gargoyle Tabletop Water Fountain Celtic Greenman Statue Figurine Home Decor A/C $55.99 |
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Roman courtyard bath fountain desk table top electric water fountain see video $16.95 |
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Rose Garden Mini Water Fountain Indoor Tabletop New $19.95 |
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AC ELECTRIC REAL SLATE INDOOR LIGHTED TABLETOP WATER FOUNTAIN VARIABLE FLOW $39.99 |
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Mystic Dragon Indoor Tabletop Water Fountain with Color changing LED $30.00 |
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Lighted Fairy Table Tabletop Water Fountain $52.89 |
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Tabletop Water Fountain/Musical by Classic Treasures $9.99 |
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100x Solo White Paper 3oz Water Cups Dispensers Disposable Cups $6.99 |
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500x Sturdy plastic Dixie Large Drinking Water Jumbo Straws individual wrapped $10.99 |
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Pure Water MD-4 Aqua Clean Stainless Tabletop Water Distiller Purifier Used $99.00 |
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Solo White Paper Water Cups – 4 oz. – 100 cups Flat bottom Drinking Disposable $7.49 |
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Water Cup Dispenser with Flip-Cap Lid Drinking Paper Plastic Container 3oz 4 1/2 $18.99 |
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Four Tier Tabletop Water Fountain ~Granite Finish Indoor Use w/pump MSRP $39.95 $24.99 |
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GOLF COURSE TABLE TOP RELAXION WATER FOUNTAIN great fathers day gift $22.75 |
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Playful Gnomes Tabletop Indoor/Outdoor Water Fountain $39.87 |
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Birds with Lily Flower LED Tabletop Water Fountain $52.20 |
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Blue Jay Birds with Stone Mill LED Tabletop Water Fountain with Motion Sensor $52.20 |
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Golden Lucky Buddha Indoor Tabletop Water Fountain with Glass ball $45.55 |
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Broken Jars LED Tabletop Water Fountain $47.45 |
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Ancient Rome Urn LED Tabletop Water Fountain $94.95 |
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Hand Of Buddha Indoor Tabletop Water Fountain $41.95 |
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Buddha Indoor Tabletop Water Fountain $46.95 |
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Myth & Legend Lighted Fairy Water Fountain Tabletop Indoor $70.79 |
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Broken pots table top mini water fountain $30.75 |
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“WATER’S EDGE” Versatile-SPRING-SUMMER TABLETOP ARRANGEMENT-Wreath-Free Shipping $64.95 |
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Round bowl with pots and globe table top water fountain $52.44 |
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Romantic Mariposa Flower Tabletop Water Fountain ~ Great Gifts ~ $35.95 |
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Table top pot and water wheel fountain with lights $61.60 |
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Table top water fountain with square pillars and photo $52.44 |
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WINE BOTTLE Pouring into Glass with GRAPES Indoor Tabletop WATER FOUNTAIN & Pump $22.99 |
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Table Top Book Water Drop of Life by P Swanson New HBDJ $5.99 |
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6598 SEIWA SIW – 340I SEAM – 0200 WATER COOLED SEAM WELDER TABLE TOP WELDER $6,000.00 |
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Indoor Tabletop Mini Water Fountain Alpine Courtyard $19.95 |
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Broken Urn LED Indoor Table Top Water Fountain $47.45 |
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Indoor Tabletop Playful Green Frogs In Garden Water Fountain New $29.90 |
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Floral Fantasy Indoor Tabletop Mini Water Fountain $24.95 |
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TABLETOP ESSENTIALS WATER GOBLETS $23.56 |
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Alpine Courtyard Indoor Tabletop Mini Water Fountain $24.95 |
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Bemis TABLETOP HUMIDIFIER WATER WICK Filter SGL1040 $9.99 |
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Dolphin Sunset Water Tabletop Fountain #LD38801 $17.95 |
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FINA MAKURA TABLETOP FOUNTAIN FLOWING WATER STREAMS $34.99 |
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Lighted Fairy Water Fountain indoor tabletop waterfall $45.00 |
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Zen Feng Shui Indoor Table Top Relaxation Meditation River Rock Water Fountain $15.00 |