The Korean Bell Garden is part of the larger Meadowlark Botanical gardens in Vienna, Virginia. It was a joint creation of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA) and the Korean American Cultural Committee (KACC). Beginning with a proposal in 2007, the project commenced with fundraising effort that rased $1 million for the construction of the bell and gardens. 80% was via private donations, while the remaining 20% came from the South Korean government. From start to finish, the project took five years to complete. The Korean Bell Garden is the first of its kind on the east coast of the United States.
Website: https://northernvirginiamag.com/things-to-do/things-to-do-features/2021/08/09/korean-bell-garden/
I have never encountered an authentic Korean garden on my North American garden adventure, so it was a surprise to do so and a real joy to experience.
When first approaching the garden, one passes through a gateway into an area with a small stationary bell and two large Dol Hareubang guardian statues.
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| Dol Hareubang guardian statues |
Moving further along, one encounters another walled area surrounded by a "flower" wall. The flowers reflect the ancient wall of the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Korea.
Within the walls is a large open area with a small pond basin.
An adjacent sitting pavilion resides near the pond-basin and offers a view of the Peace Bell pavilion in the distance.
Within this courtyard, there is also the Wall of Ten Symbols with motifs meant to symbolize longevity: sun, mountain, water, stone, pine tree, cloud, tortoise, white crane, deer, and bamboo.
A side gate leads to a series of stepping stones leading towards the Peace Bell.
Nearby, a small platform also has a display honoring the development of Hangul, the Korean alphabet.
Built in 2011, the Bell of Peace and Harmony resides in a large pavilion structure build in a traditional manner. Cast of bronze in Korea, the bell weighs 6,000 lbs. and measures almost 7.5 ft. in height (https://www.bells.org/blog/washingtons-bells-bell-peace-and-harmony).
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| Jangseung, traditional Korean totem poles |
Overall, this garden was wonderful to visit. Its design goes beyond authenticity and the complex was clearly designed for educative purposes. The perfect place for people of Korean heritage to visit, but also a great field trip experience for non-Korean children and adults alike looking to learn more about Korea and its traditions.
