In Lan Su Chinese Garden, there is poetry everywhere—carved into rocks, inside and outside buildings. Many are two-lined poems called couplets. These couplets often describe nature and aspects of the garden. Take inspiration from the garden and create your own couplet!
Included free with membership or admission; no registration is required.
A couplet poem is a short two line poem often containing 15 words or less in each line. It is important that each line balance and be constructed with a similar sentence structure. Some couplets might include the combination of wind & rain, silence & sound, light & shadow. Some images in the garden that you could use are: Ying & Yang, water & stone, or plants & fish.
Create your own couplet during your next visit to the garden or send us your couplet by email to couplets@lansugarden.org. We would appreciate if you would include your name and location, but you are also welcome to submit anonymously. Couplets that are submitted by email may be posted by Lan Su on social media or on the Poetry Arch in the garden during the month of April.
Wang, Wei, Tang Dynasty
Inscribed by Wang Jiansheng of Reverence Studio, Suzhou
Reflections in Clear Ripples, Interior Couplet
Inscribed by Ma Bole, Suzhou
Waterside Pavilion, Interior Couplet
For as little as $60 a year enjoy unlimited visits to Lan Su, 10% off at the Garden Shop and Garden Teahouse (exclusions apply) and member pricing on special events like Lunar New Year Lantern Viewing Evenings.
239 Northwest Everett Street, Portland, Oregon 97209
Call Us: 503.228.8131
Lan Su Chinese Garden
38 NW Davis St #260, Portland, OR 97209
Members, donors and visitors help keep Lan Su healthy and growing. Lan Su is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations and memberships are tax deductible. Lan Su’s Federal Tax ID number (EIN) is 93-1296840.