Chapter 3 Section 2 The Origin of Ancient Chinese Gardens

Chinese gardens only came into being when China’s economy developed to a certain level. According to textual research, in the oracle bone inscriptions of the Yin and Shang Dynasties, there were already some garden words such as garden, garden, and enclosure that have been used to this day, but the meanings at that time were different from modern ones. difference.At that time, "yuan" refers to the place where fruit trees are cultivated, which is an orchard. "Purple" refers to the place where vegetables are cultivated, which is a vegetable garden.And "Yuan" refers to the place where animals are raised and bred.The purpose of breeding animals is for the emperor to hunt and play here. This is a kind of recreational activity not for production. Therefore, "Yu" is considered to be the original form of Chinese gardens. The place "Yuan" got the name "Garden" again, and until the last feudal dynasty—the Qing Dynasty, the royal garden was still called "Guo Chao Yuan Yuan".

The formation of gardens is directly related to the domestication of animals, the cultivation of plants and the progress of architectural technology, and is also inseparable from the development of culture and art. With the demise of the feudal monarchy, the construction of royal gardens has become a relic of history. This earliest garden form is regarded as an important historical and cultural heritage and classified as a museum; private gardens and temple gardens are also impossible. It has become the mainstream of modern garden development; natural landscape gardens still have a vigorous development prospect.The development of modern urban and rural parks and the landscaping and beautification of public places and residential quarters will inherit the essence of ancient Chinese garden art, bring forth the old and bring forth the new, and carry forward.