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WHILE it may look like nothing more than an attractive and unusual feature, the gravel in a Zen garden actu- ally has meaning beyond the aesthetic. Larger rocks and boulders situated in a Zen garden represent land masses, while flat areas of gravel and pebbles repre- sent bodies of water. A garden rake is often used to create interesting patterns in the gravel to represent ocean waves, ripples in a pond or other interesting patterns. Some gardens incorporate sand to serve the same purpose. TYPES OF GRAVEL While the creators of many Zen gardens use fine, crushed gravel that's easy to rake into patterns, others prefer tiny, rounded pebbles. Using small, smooth pebbles also creates a space that you can walk through barefoot or in socks to massage the soles of your feet, an act that's uncomfortable on jagged, crushed gravel. Alternatively, poultry grit is another option that is easy to rake into patterns that hold their shape over time. BEYOND GRAVEL In addition to gravel or pebble areas, you can also create "oceans" of larg- er stones like rounded, flattened river rocks or a snow scape using white landscaping rocks. To add depth and interest to rocky areas of the Zen garden, select stones that vary widely in color, including those that are tan, pink, gray and black. Polished pebbles emit a sheen that catches the morning or evening light as the sun rises or sets over the Zen garden. Gravel