How many different kinds of gardens can you name? Let's see, there are water gardens, herb gardens, children's gardens, pizza gardens, butterfly gardens, and even beer gardens in Germany, but have you ever heard of a faith garden? Don't feel bad if you haven't because surveys have shown that many religious leaders are unfamiliar with these gardens as well. Faith gardens, or faith-based gardens, are normally green spaces created for prayer and meditation the public can enjoy. However, faith-based gardens are created for specific or specialized purposes.
Faith-based gardens are used to inspire,
remind, teach, motivate, or calm the mind and soul. For instance,
in a Mary's garden, the plants are all reminiscent of Mary, the
mother of Jesus, and the traditions surrounding her. An example
of the plants therein might include Rosemary. It has the tradition
of having changed its blooms from white to blue when Mary laid
her cloak upon one to dry as she traveled to Egypt while fleeing
from King Herod as recorded in the Bible.
Other faith-based gardens include Zen or labyrinth gardens. Zen
gardens allow you to focus on beauty and tranquility, while labyrinth
gardens represent wholeness, pilgrimages or ceremonial pathways.
They also represent the many paths or turns that life takes.
A labyrinth garden opened at the Mental Health Center of Madison County in Huntsville, Alabama in May 2007. The structure was made possible by a grant from the Jane K. Lowe Charitable Fund and other contributors. The garden is free and open to the public. For more information, call 256.533.1970.