The pond, or the ike, is a fundamental element in Japanese gardens. As a body of water, it represents the sea, lake, pond or river in nature. This is why they are not geometrical in appearance; in order to preserve the natural shapes, man-made ponds are asymmetrical. The bank of the pond is usually bordered by stones. The passage of the water from the waterfall or stream to the pond symbolizes human existence: birth, growth and death. The sound and the appearance of the water change throughout this course from being a boisterous rushing of waves to a serene silence. A fountain is sometimes found at the bottom of a hill or hillside or secluded forest. Wells, too, are sometimes found in a Japanese garden. This is made for both functional and aesthetic purposes. Both features, like other elements, appear in various forms.
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