Moon gate

For other uses, see Moongate.

Moon gate at Hortus Haren in the Netherlands

A moon gate (Chinese: 月亮门; pinyin: yuèliàngmén) is a circular opening in a garden wall that acts as a pedestrian passageway. It is a traditional architectural element in Chinese gardens.

The shapes of the gates and their tiles have different spiritual meanings. The sloping roofs of a gate represent the half moon of the Chinese summers, and the tips of the tiles of the roof have talismans on the ends of them.

A wall-less moon gate in Bermuda

Moon gates were incorporated into the architecture of Bermuda in the late 19th century, around the same time that the British territory began importing Easter lily bulbs from Japan for cultivation. Bermudan moon gates are slightly different from the original Chinese designs, as they are often left freestanding or attached to a low wall. In Bermuda, it is regarded as good luck for newlyweds to step through the gate.

Gallery

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  Moon gate at Couple's Retreat Garden in the Classical Gardens of Suzhou
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  Lai Chi Kok Park Chinese Arch
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  Tong Study Hall MoonGate
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  Zhonghe park
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  Moon Gate, National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, National Arboretum, Washington, DC
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  Entrance to the Astor Court, a Ming-style garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
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  Moon gate in Great Wave Pavilion