The early prototype of a wetland park: does it really exist? On the wisdom of pre-Qin people in building gardens

I believe that the story of Peach Blossom Spring is familiar to each of us. People spread word of mouth about the beauty of this legendary paradise, with shady trees, prosperous villages, amidst the crowing of cocks and barking dogs, and the heart above the misty clouds. Such a beautiful illusion that can make visitors forget to leave has become the dream destination of countless literati for thousands of years. However, just like the Wuling fisherman who finally returned to search, most people have never had a glimpse of the paradise of Peach Blossom Spring in their entire lives.

So, does the Peach Blossom Spring really exist?

The dreamland at the end of the water source described by Tao Yuanming may be a fiction, but in the distant pre-Qin era, our ancestors discovered a "paradise" created in heaven - the wetland. The water here is rich, the soil is fertile, suitable for farming; the flowers and plants are luxuriant, and there are many birds, making it like a natural museum of flora and fauna. The Chinese people in the pre-Qin Dynasty were surprised to discover that the shallow swamp waters left behind after low tide contained mysterious powers that could prevent flood disasters and withstand severe weather.

This gift from nature was fully utilized by the industrious and brave ancestors: relying on the wetlands, dazzling palace corridors rose from the ground, and rare and exotic animals ran happily among the prosperous woods. . Nowadays, the "ecological construction as the core" that the country has repeatedly emphasized has been regarded as a guideline by the rulers in the distant pre-Qin Dynasty, and has become the only secret method for the prosperity of the Chinese nation.

It can be said that wetlands are the cradle of Chinese civilization and the birthplace of civilization. Today, let us travel through history, become witnesses of the evolution of civilization, and witness again this harmonious union of nature and humanity.

1. The earliest record of wetlands in China

Looking at the moist and thick soil on the fertile land on both sides of the Yellow River, the recorded traces of wetlands left by the Yangshao and Majiayao cultures are revealed In front of you. Thousands of years ago, this area was once a fertile swamp filled with rice plants. The Yangshao natives of Mianchi, Henan, gently sowed the first seedlings in my country's long farming history in the warm and humid soil. In the slowly flowing shallow water, we caught fish, shrimp and other natural wildlife. Although the ancestors at that time did not understand the formation principles of wetlands, they had learned to develop and utilize them. Moreover, with a feeling of totem worship, the ancestors of the pre-Qin Dynasty carved and shaped the insects, birds, fish and crops seen in the wetlands, combined them with human images, and painted scenes of man and nature on colored ceramics. The picture of harmonious coexistence also opened up the indissoluble bond between the Chinese nation and wetlands.

2. Records of wetlands during the Yin and Shang Dynasties

People who relied on wetland farming for their lives established their own countries around them over time. Anyang City, Henan Province, was once one of the capitals of the Shang Dynasty and the site of an important wetland.

According to scientists’ analysis of fauna data and the oracle bone inscriptions left by the Yin and Shang dynasties, at that time, even if you were just an ordinary citizen of the Yin and Shang dynasties, walking outside the capital, you would be able to survive in wet and humid conditions. In the lush wetlands, you can see buffalo, elk, deer and other small animals. In addition, the oracles also describe in great detail the number of wetland animals that people hunt each time. In just the month of February Yiwei, hundreds of elk can easily be hunted.

The rich wetland resources not only provided a superior material foundation for the Yin Shang in the Central Plains, but also made their cultural development possible. Because of the extensive encirclement of land for farming, fishing and hunting, the hieroglyphics "迿" and "囿" appeared for the first time in the oracles. The first time such words officially appeared was also in the oracles.

3. Wetlands recorded in the Book of Songs

If inscriptions are the most important records of the Yin and Shang dynasties, then the most accurate records from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period are through Confucius The "Book of Songs" was compiled after screening and rectification. As the most important historical materials that record people's lives and local customs, whether it is "the so-called beauty is on the water side" in "Guofeng" or "the fish is in the algae, relying on its cattails" in "Xiaoya", both mention We arrived at the beautiful and unique features of the wetland.

Among the 305 poems, there are more than 70 poems about water flows and lakes. What kind of springs and mountain streams are there in which places, what kind of fish jump out of what kind of rivers, I am afraid that judging from the current situation, it is just like a travel manual, describing all the wetland landforms and the characteristics of the creatures in them. ’s clear as day. Just by looking at it, you can be reminded of the beautiful scenery with sparkling water.

There seems to be very detailed records of the flowers, plants, trees, and birds, insects, and fish around the wetland. Many people may be curious: Could it be that our pre-Qin ancestors only knew how to eat and eat? Today, such a good natural environment as wetlands has long been used by real estate developers to build garden houses and label them as natural oxygen bars. ?

The smart pre-Qin people naturally noticed this.

The famous book "Kaogongdian" writes that at that time, the royal hunting pastures, as well as the garden ponds and spiritual canals were all built on wetlands. The utilization of wetlands by ancient people in production activities can be said to be amazing even today.

1. The Science of Garden Selection

There were many pre-Qin countries. However, simply looking through historical materials, it is not difficult to find that the location selection of the capitals of these countries will have one thing in common, that is, they must be certain. It should be built close to mountains and rivers, and the wetlands and swamps in the outskirts are regarded as treasures by monarchs of various countries. The "nurseries" and "environments" built around them are important resources for a country.

Just imagine, during the Spring and Autumn Period, businessmen from all over the world gathered together and introduced the strong strength of their countries. This would definitely happen. The people of Zheng were the first to stand up and boast that there were so many wild animals in the gardens outside the capital Xinzheng that they would be satisfied even if everyone from each country took away a deer. Businessmen from the Qin State proudly talked about Juji on the outskirts of the capital Yongcheng, how the country still did not dry up despite the severe drought, and could continuously provide water to the people. Isn't this like divine help?

The traveling merchants from the State of Lu were not to be outdone. They talked about the scenes of martial arts and writing activities held in Lang'an and Sheyuan'an on the outskirts of Qufu, which attracted everyone's admiration. The businessmen from Chu State took their time and slowly told them how beautiful the scenery of Yunmengze was. It was like a natural environment in heaven and on earth, which attracted everyone's envy.

The gardens these businessmen are talking about are wetlands! During the Spring and Autumn Period, most of the capitals of various countries were carefully considered, and almost every king chose to build the city garden around a garden. This shows how important wetlands were in the choice of royal gardens.

2. Garden design

In the design of gardens, the influence of the founder is crucial. However, as the first garden recorded in literature, the name of Sand Dune Garden is not very "glorious" - because the person who built it was the notorious tyrant Emperor Zhou. As the largest palace garden in the Lutai and Juqiao palace areas, the design of the Sand Dune Garden built along the water was highly valued by King Zhou. The high platform and the tower are naturally indispensable, and the rare birds and animals among the pavilions and buildings must also be raised in the center of the pool. Relying on the Yellow River Basin in the agricultural center, the fine wine and food in the Sand Dune Garden are naturally inexhaustible. It can be seen that the "wine pond and meat forest" mentioned by later generations is not an exaggeration on purpose.

Such squandering naturally aroused resistance and dissatisfaction from countless people. When King Wu, who had conquered the capital, came to the palace areas located at Lutai and Juqiao, he was shocked: It turned out that the reason why the Shang Dynasty was still strong after years of squandering was because of this huge wetland area that was full of vitality and was like a treasure house! During this period, countless green bamboos grew naturally, enough to be cut down and used by descendants for generations. King Wu was naturally overjoyed and immediately made it the capital of Wei.

In addition to the Sand Dune Garden, Yunmengze, as the largest swamp in Chu State, is like an emerald green gem set on the bank of Zhanghua Terrace. The scenery is natural and elegant, with many small animals and lush flowers and plants. Rui, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a real fairyland on earth.

If wetlands are so important, then isn’t there a book that records wetlands and gardens in detail? The answer is naturally yes.

The famous "Shui Jing Zhu" is an important historical work summarized by Li Daoyuan after traveling all over the country and reading a large number of historical documents. After reading at night countless times, Li Daoyuan used the rivers he walked personally as clues to record many garden materials collected along the way, and drew images of pre-Qin gardens and wetlands by hand.

Not only that, he was careful and noted in detail the characteristics, resource value, agricultural value, ecological function of the wetland and its many uses and developments by people in the pre-Qin period. It can be said that at that time, this "Shui Jing Zhu" was a similar encyclopedia of wetlands. As long as you read it, you can fully understand the contents of the major wetlands and gardens across the country, and you can also learn about the wetlands since the pre-Qin Dynasty. , people have a certain understanding of the transformation and utilization of wetlands.

Wetlands, as a God-given treasure, have been discovered and utilized by the intelligent and industrious descendants of Yan and Huang as early as the pre-Qin period. On their basis, countless beautiful royal gardens were created, and the The unique advantages of wetlands can be utilized and transformed to create more value. It can be said that the use and development of wetlands is the most perfect interpretation of the Chinese people's rational use and transformation of nature for thousands of years.

However, today, rapid economic and social development has caused a subtle "imbalance" between humans and nature. The area of ??wetlands that gave birth to my country's traditional culture is also shrinking year by year. At this time, we need to revisit the teachings left by our ancestors and transform nature in a reasonable way. We don’t have to be so eager for quick success. Only in this way can we let the wetland, the cradle of national culture, survive forever and benefit future generations. Eternity.