The mood of a dry garden is quiet and sparse. Rocks are grouped together, often in threes, with one large rock combined with two progressively smaller ones. They can be tilted to create interesting patterns. The gravel is carefully raked in flowing patterns surrounding the rocks.

These gardens have symbolic significance. Rocks represent the suchness or true nature of things as they appear (form). The raked gravel represents impermanence of flowing water (formlessness). It also represents the Mind.

The colors are usually dark rocks and light colored gravel. The large expanses of light colored gravel points attention to empty space. And the large dark rocks show solid form as a stark contrast.

Thus the garden can be approached like a visual koan of the interplay between form and formlessness, to be contemplated in meditation.

Contemplating the dry garden, we are drawn out of ourselves; time can appear to stand still, and with practice we move into the void and in so doing enter a higher plane of unconsciousness (Hendy 2001, 29)