The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Moongate Garden
The Moongate Garden was inspired by architectural and symbolic elements found in the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and landscape built in Beijing during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Now included on UNESCO's World Heritage List, the circular structures that comprise the Temple of Heaven represent heaven (God's world), while square foundations and axes symbolize earth (the human world). ⬥ The forms of circle and square (representing heaven and earth, respectively) are evident throughout the Moongate Garden. At the center, an island of granite is surrounded by a black granite pool. A stylized version of the circle and square motif is also repeated in the two nine-foot-tall pink granite moongates and the granite seating areas that define the corners of the garden.
Erected by Smithsonian Gardens, Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry.
Location. 38° 53.297′ N, 77° 1.596′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. It can be reached from Jefferson Drive Southwest west of 7th Street Southwest, on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fruitful Fig (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Moongate Garden (a few steps from this marker); Acquired in 1886 by the Department of Living Animals (within shouting distance of this marker); Enid A. Haupt Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); "Nature is my religion." (within shouting distance of this marker); Threats to Dragonflies (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Enid A. Haupt Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Built above an underground museum complex (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. An identical marker stands on the other side of the garden.
Additional keywords. landscape architecture
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
