A Moon Gate for Your Garden

When most people hear "Moon Gate" they immediately think of a Chinese garden. A moon gate is a traditional Chinese gate, circular in shape and is typically an entryway that leads into a contained garden or gardens. There is an old Chinese saying. "Flowers are more beautiful when the moon is full." Looking through a moon gate symbolizes the full moon.

Round or moon gates also alludes to a mystery or surprise awaiting through the gate, just beyond, or just out of sight. It beckons entry. A beautiful round entry gate calls to the visitor to enter, to see what's on the other side. A moon gate calls gently and promises safety within. What a spectacular entry for a private garden, YOUR garden.

Your garden need not have an Asian theme. A moon gate blends well to many styles from an old-fashioned cottage garden to a formal English garden and everything in between. Many types of moon gates are available or not that hard to design and build yourself.

A carefully placed and planted arbor can become a type of moon gate. A moon gate can be a growing bush or tree, pruned to allow either entry into, or just a window view through to a secret garden space.

A moon gate can be a half circle walkway up and over a small pond. The reflection in the water will complete the moon circle and it will create a stunning scene through the circle to the view beyond.

A moon gate can be made from rocks or stones or bricks forming a circle. It can be an evergreen hedge that a circle is pruned from the middle creating a window view. A moon gate can be made of wire or wood or metal. A circle can be cut in the middle of a cement wall. It can be a 'living' gate, made from tangled and twisted willow boughs stuck into the ground. They will eventually begin to leaf out and grow.

If you cannot find a way to create a moon gate in your garden, a large round mirror can be mounted on a fence or wall or even tucked into or hung strategically in a bush to reflect your garden giving the appearance of an entryway.

It has been said that a moon gate brings good luck to all that pass through. What a wonderful wish for visitors coming to your garden