The Origins of Fountains

You won't find the beginnings of the water fountain in the Western culture. Elsewhere, water was important in order to survive (for both humans and animals). Water wasn't used for decorative purposes in the garden. Anyway, as elaborate the fountains were, one thing is certain: the owners wished the fountains to be simple and with minimal care to work properly.

Most of the fountains built in Europe were influenced by the architecture of Rome and Ancient Greek. These times are considered the frame of reference. The water fountains had large collectors and their walls were decorated with special sculptures.

In Europe, gardens were divided in four sections: the spice garden, the vegetable garden, the fruit garden and flower garden. These kinds of gardens were set up especially in convents around four fountains. This archetype,that every garden cropped around a fountain, has been borrowed from the Persians who used the fountains as a source of contemplation.

In the Orient, fountains were accustomed constructions having hundreds of years history. Because of the warm and dry climate, the Islamites set up a fountain in the middle of every garden, in order to use the water more easily. Often, the gardens had water channels. The fountains or the channels were decorated with pieces of ceramics.

Japan was also influenced by the way in which its neighbors (China, Korea) built the fountains. To Japanese, water fountains are much more important than being a simple decorative element in the garden. The fountain is something that gives harmony and peace to them.

In the first half of the 19th century the American architecture started to make covered gardens, covered fountains. Anyway, these days, water fountains are very known and searched for, especially the miniature ones that can be placed indoor. Water fountains have several purposes:

- a religious one.

The fountains in the convents were made for people finding their inner peace and mediation upon their life. In the Ancient Greek water fountains were guiding marks for social meetings.

- decorative purpose.

In the beginnings fancy water fountains were afforded only by rich people in Ancient Greek and Ancient Rome. They were spiced with stunning water falls and grandiose sculptures and used as an ornamental object of the yards.

- functional role that refers to the air quality.

The sound of running water has healing powers. This is a known fact since ancient times. People are always trying to bring peace and serenity in their lives and they can do this by considering to place a water fountain in the garden or indoor. Decorative water fountains can be a point of attraction in a garden or a room. They give the impression of a larger space and bring into your home or office a piece of nature.

Nowadays you can do research on home decorating and improvement on the Internet so you can decide easier what to choose for your home & garden.