New Did You Know? a Bit of Water Fountain History for You

Did You Know? A Bit of Water Fountain History For You

In the 21st century, we take water fountains for granted. We see them everywhere-- in homes, yards, patios, individual offices, office buildings, hotel lobbies, and public parks. This proliferation of indoor & outdoor water fountains is a fairly recent phenomenon, attributable to the advent of electric pumps. They have allowed us to put indoor and outdoor water fountains in areas that used to be unthinkable, because it is no longer necessary to have a natural source of water to keep a fountain operating nicely. For the most part we get as much water as we want from municipal water systems, and small pumps, instead of natural movement of springs and streams, circulate the water in contemporary fountains.

This, of course, has not always been the case. Ancient Romans constructed elaborate systems of aqueducts that would transport water from the mountains in Northern Italy to the populated areas of the country. This gravity-propelled water supply was for the use of all citizens. In areas where a well or similar source was not available, water fountains were commonly built in public places so that everyone could get the water they needed for their drinking, cooking & cleaning. The popular Roman Public Baths were supplied via the same method. Personal indoor water fountains were available to upper class families who could afford to tap into the water system, and they were usually both decorative and functional additions to the home and garden/ courtyard. This indoor supply often extended into individual rooms in the home so that a steady supply of running water was conveniently at hand. So, the early indoor water fountains were both functional and aesthetic in nature.

Of course, some fountains were more elaborate than others, both indoors and out. The wealthy commissioned sculptors to design their indoor water fountains, and hired artisans to build them. Municipally funded fountains in the larger public squares were likewise commissioned and were often large & spectacularly designed pieces that glorified the deities of water, historical events that involved water, and water itself. From these early beginnings in ancient Rome, a unique water fountain relationship with the local citizenry developed and has continued over the centuries until today. Rome, which is home to more than 265 working fountains, is considered to be the Water Fountain Capital of the western world. Many of these fountains are quite familiar to us, and I will address some of them in future articles.

I hope we all can appreciate that, today, when we encounter a fountain in a public park, workplace or a private home, the history behind it goes back thousands of years. You'll notice that the designs of these structures are very often greatly influenced by Roman themes, and that ancient classical and mythology-based fountains still fit nicely into contemporary settings.

By the way, many civilizations that preceded the Roman Empire, as well as those that arose after its fall contributed to the history and historical presence of fountains, but those are tales for another day.

Lovely Feng Shui Placement of Water Fountain - Improve Your Home with the Sound of Water

Feng Shui Placement Of Water Fountain - Improve Your Home With the Sound of Water

Feng Shui Placement Of Water Fountain

The feng shui water fountain is a great tool that is known to attract good luck and prosperity. It can be placed in select locations both inside and outside of the home. Use a bagua map to locate specific areas related to wealth and select an appropriate fountain. Water fountains combine sound and movement as a cure to both retain and activate the 'qi' or energy of the space. If situated in the right spot, the constant stream of cascading water can harnesses the 'qi' in the area that needs it the most.

Water fountains come in a number of different materials, including metal, bamboo and ceramic. Each one of these materials represent an element that is the foundation of feng shui, namely metal, wood and earth. To determine which material to use, you have to look at how the five elements interact with each other and find out which element works best with water. If you take a look at the destructive cycle of the five elements, you will learn that earth destroys or dissolves water. This means that the element earth should not be combined with water, therefore you need to avoid using a ceramic water fountain in your home. If you take a look at the productive cycle of the five elements, you will learn that metal produces or carries water. This means that the element metal should be combined with water, the combination of the two actually makes the water more powerful as a feng shui remedy. Feng Shui Placement Of Water Fountain

Water fountains also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It should be obvious that smaller sized fountains are better suited for inside the home while larger ones are appropriate for the outside. There are tabletop options as well as wall mounted for the indoors. An outdoor fountain however, should be big enough to act as the centerpiece of a garden. Based on basic principles of the art of placement, round shapes are preferred although fountains are available in a number of different shapes. You don't necessarily have to go with round, simply choose one that is fitting in your home.

The key to effectively using the sound and movement cures of water is to place the feng shui water fountain in an appropriate area of the home. This can be accomplished by locating them on a bagua map. Since the fountain represents the element water, it should be placed in areas of a room or an entire home that is associated with either water or wood. The fountain can only fully serve its purpose of enhancing the flow of 'qi' in places that can benefit from its presence. One place to be aware of is the bedroom. This room is tricky, because it is where you sleep. The constant flow of water can prove to be too distracting and cause restlessness in this particular room. That is not to say that it completely does not belong in the bedroom. In fact, there are certain situations that make it appropriate for that part of the house. Since water is a powerful remedy, it should be dealt with carefully. Seek the services of a professional if you are looking to use it correctly to help improve your life. Feng Shui Placement Of Water Fountain

Awesome "middle Eastern" Water Fountain Contributions

"Middle Eastern" Water Fountain Contributions

As early as the 12th century, the development of water fountain technology in what is now known as Iraq, was being pursued by engineers with vigor and inventiveness. The fountains of the Greeks and Romans were mostly dramatic in nature and secondarily were functional. The Middle Eastern focus, by contrast, was centered on fountains' practical application, specifically on the development and advancement of fountain machinery that replicated human activity.

One such described invention was called the Peacock Fountain which used technology similar to a modern toilet: when a plug was pulled from the peacock's tail, dirty water emptied into the fountain base and clean water entered the basin; meanwhile, rising water in the base caused a float device to activate a mechanical servant figurine to come out from behind a door carrying soap; as the rinse water was used and flushed back into the base, causing the float to rise again and activating another figure that appeared offering a towel.

This clever synthesis of engineering and artistry, of course, was reserved for the very wealthy. Teams of fountain engineers and artisans were commissioned by those with the wherewithal for the specific purpose of developing a desired application.

One of the best known engineers was a man we know as Al-Jazari. He was likely named after the area where he was born, al-Jazira, which was the Arabic name for a territory know known as northern Iraq. Just about all that is known of him comes from his "Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices," in which he describes his amazing work. More of a craftsman and engineer than an inventor, he none-the-less produced inventions by a laborious trial and error process that provided the foundation for the development of mechanisms in use to this day.

His main contribution to fountain technology was the invention of water-raising machines, thus allowing fountain deployment in areas not practical for using the old gravity fed method. Bringing up water from the ground had traditionally been a very labor-intensive task and Al-Jazari was the first to develop a machine utilizing a suction piston that could raise water over 50 feet into a system of connected pipes.

One of his machines, incorporating a scoop wheel driven by a gear system with attached jars that emptied water into channels, was the basis of a water system in 13th century Damascus that supplied the mosques with water drawn from a local lake. In Islam, a fountain is the name of the place in the Mosque where worshippers can wash before Prayer.

The culture also placed importance on aesthetic appearance and the use of light and texture to influence the emotional reaction to a setting. Geometrically designed enclosed gardens were developed in Persia (modern Iran) with the emphasis on creating a relaxing atmosphere. Shapes and textures were specifically chosen for their ability to direct sunlight.

In the 16th century, elaborate fountain displays were garden features of the Mughal gardens of India. These were a group of gardens built by the Mughals in the Islamic style of architecture, and this style was influenced by Persian gardens. One main difference or addition was the significant use of rectilinear layouts within the walled enclosures. Some of the typical features included pools, fountains, and canals within these enclosed gardens. Similar-style gardens with water features were designed in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

So, contributions to our modern fountains have been drawn from sources around the world over many centuries and implemented cumulatively as a synthesis of need, resources and available local talent. The water fountains in our homes and gardens today are the descendants of all these early fountains in mechanics and design. So, when creating your own water fountain environment, let your own creativity, personality, preferences, and resources be your guide.

In the future our natural human affinity for water as a resource beyond life maintenance and continued technological development will likely continue to allow us to develop fountain use & placement options we may now only imagine.

Inspirational the Many Purposes of the Water Fountain

The Many Purposes of the Water Fountain

When you think of a water fountain, your thoughts may go back to school. Every wall seems to have fountains and lockers. Perhaps you think of lovely displays in famous cities. There is a great deal of uses for fountains. Here are some that you might consider.

Outdoor

Would you like a very valuable addition to your landscape? A lovely fountain will make a big difference. They may require some planning. There is some work to run the plumbing. However, it will be a thing of great beauty. They are perfect for a tranquil outdoor setting. You may wish to design your own Zen garden. It can be the perfect retreat. Observing the cascading flow of soft running water can be most relaxing.

Table top

Maybe you wish to bring some relaxation indoors. These units are lovely, yet portable. Anyone can enjoy them. It will not matter what the weather is. Any season is the perfect time to have them around. The come in many shapes and sizes. They can be the perfect mood setting to meditation or a lovely, quiet, evening.

Pond

A pond fountain is a beautiful addition to your pond. You can create a setting of peace and serenity. They do not cost as much as you may think. There also is not as much labor as you may think, too. They are fairly easy to install and enjoy. There are so many different styles. It may take you a while to decide, which one to use.

Solar

Solar fountains are a perfect way to dress up your landscape. You get the benefits of running water, with no energy use. This is a great way to go green, and do your part for the environment. There is no limit to where you can place these lovely items.

There is no need to run electricity. This makes the installation much less expensive. There is also much less labor involved. You will not have to worry about digging up your yard for wires. Maybe you would like to have one of the many birdbath fountains. You will provide a safe place for wildlife to congregate and quench their thirst.

Summary

A water fountain is not just a place to get a drink of water. They can be items of great beauty. You can set an entire mood for your landscape. Maybe you wish to create your own Zen garden. You may wish to improve the looks of your pond. These fountains will also make lovely indoor decorations. You can also go green and install solar fountains. They will not use any electricity. You have a great deal of choice with these items.