Basic characteristics of Zen rock gardens

Quick answer：

Zen rock gardens, also known as 'karesansui,' are a traditional Japanese garden style that emphasizes the beauty of simplicity and the serene expression of nature. They typically feature a monochrome palette, using stones, raked sand, and occasionally moss to create landscapes that evoke mountains, rivers, and other natural elements. The emphasis is on creating a sense of tranquility and harmony through the arrangement of elements, often using principles from Zen Buddhism. These gardens are characterized by their lack of color, the absence of plants, and the meticulous raking of sand to represent water currents.