moon gate
Round garden entrance
A moon gate is a circular opening in a wall, originally from Chinese garden architecture.
The round shape frames views and creates a dramatic threshold between garden spaces.
The design has spread to Western gardens and appears in decorative contexts: We walked through the moon gate into the courtyard.
The name reflects how the opening resembles a full moon.
Curved overhead passage
opening · circular opening · frame · pavilion · courtyard · walkway · stone · brick
Open recreational structure
- bambooTall woody grass
- courtyardEnclosed open-air space
- pagodaTiered Asian temple tower
- pondSmall still body
koi · lotus · willow · tea house · lantern · bridge · chrysanthemum · plum blossom
Curved closed shape
- wholenessComplete, undivided state
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- eternityBoundless temporal existence
- perfectionAbsence of any fault
harmony · balance · transition · journey · invitation · framing · perspective · continuity
Structural or contextual shaping
- vistaPleasing distant scene
- sightlinePath vision travels along
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- focal pointCenter of interest
silhouette · contrast · shadow play · negative space · proportion · symmetry · curvature · roundness
archway
Curved overhead passage
entrance · opening · circular opening · frame · pavilion · courtyard · walkway · stone · brick · masonry
pavilion
Open recreational structure
pond · koi · lotus · willow · tea house · lantern · bridge · chrysanthemum · plum blossom · pine
circle
Curved closed shape
- wholenessComplete, undivided state
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- eternityBoundless temporal existence
perfection · harmony · balance · transition · journey · invitation · framing · perspective · continuity · renewal
framing
Structural or contextual shaping
- vistaPleasing distant scene
- sightlinePath vision travels along
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
focal point · silhouette · contrast · shadow play · negative space · proportion · symmetry · curvature · roundness · elegance
- ChinaBeijing, Shanghai, Great Wall, Yellow River, Chinese calligraphy
- East Asian Culturechopsticks, yin and yang, tea ceremony, origami, qi
- archesarch, triumphal arch, memorial arch, roman arch, victory arch
- ChinatownChinatown, dim sum, dragon dances, Chinese New Year, lion dances
- gatesgatehouse, gatepost, tollgate, floodgate, portcullis
- mystical questholy grail, magic sword, enchanted forest, dragon slaying, treasure hunt