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Neuroscience unlocks secrets of Zen garden

Nature (2002)Cite this article

500-year-old rock pattern suggests a tree to our subconscious.

The beauty of one of Japan's most popular Zen gardens has long eluded explanation. Now neuroscientists have found that its minimalist design suggests a pleasing picture to our subconcious.

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References

  1. Van Tonder, G., Lyons, M.J. & Ejima, Y. Visual structure of a Japanese Zen garden. Nature, 419, 359, (2002).

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  2. Kovács, I. & Julesz, B. Perceptual sensitivity maps within globally defined visual shapes. Nature, 370, 644 - 646 (1994).

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Authors
  1. Kendall Powell
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Powell, K. Neuroscience unlocks secrets of Zen garden. Nature (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/news020926-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/news020926-8

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