Lingering Garden, a renowned masterpiece of Chinese garden art, is nestled at No. 338, Liuyuan Road, outside Changmen Gate, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. In 1873, Sheng Kang acquired the garden, expanded it significantly, and renamed it "Lingering Garden", emphasizing its lasting charm. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the government restored and protected it, making it accessible to the public.

The lattice windows in Lingering Garden are a sight to behold. They come in diverse forms, mainly brick - carved and overlapping - tile. The window frames display geometric shapes like diamonds, circles, and hexagons, while the window cores flaunt a rich variety of patterns, from water chestnut flowers to swastikas. These patterns are not only decorative but also carry profound cultural meanings. For instance, the hexagonal tortoise - shell pattern symbolizes health and longevity, with the hexagon representing the six directions of the universe.

Serene Water in Lingering Garden

Fine Furniture and Lattice Windows

These lattice windows are steeped in cultural connotations. Patterns like the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar and the Four Gentlemen reflect the literati elegance and the garden owner's refined taste. Philosophically, they embody the harmony between man and nature, as they bring the outdoors inside. Functionally, lattice windows serve multiple purposes. They provide essential daylighting and ventilation, making the indoor spaces bright and airy. They also enhance the spatial experience, creating a sense of depth and connection between different areas of the garden. Moreover, they act as natural frames, skillfully capturing the beauty of the garden's landscapes, both inside and outside, achieving the unique "made by man, yet seemingly born of nature" aesthetic.