| Much like statue, water fountains are also | | | | first prominent memorial honoring a woman. |
| used to commemorate an individual's memorable | | | | The beauty of this gentle yet powerful |
| existence or notable achievement. While | | | | fountain symbolizes the strong and beautiful |
| fountains are often constructed of some kind | | | | character of Lowell who was an inspiration in |
| of statuary, obviously the difference lies in | | | | charitable giving. Aside from mere mortal |
| the addition of falling water. The sound of | | | | souls, water fountain memorials are also used |
| falling water brings on the feeling of peace | | | | to celebrate the life of religious icons. |
| and the sight of it reflection. Adding water | | | | These are particularly popular in countries |
| to a solid form instantly changes a simple | | | | heavily influenced by religion such as |
| object into a tangible and living thing. | | | | Catholicism or Hinduism. Many families have |
| Unlike a statue (no matter how elaborate the | | | | table top water fountains in their homes to |
| statue is in itself), water fountains trigger | | | | place at homemade altars running the |
| much sentiment and idealism. In "Song of the | | | | fountains non-stop. Various table top Buddha |
| Spirits over the Water" by Johann Wolfgang | | | | fountains are particularly popular as they |
| Goethe it is written, "A mortal's soul seems | | | | not only celebrate Buddha but are thought to |
| like the water, from heaven coming to heaven | | | | bring good luck to the families that have the |
| rising again renewed then to earth descending | | | | fountains running non-stop. Where Memorial |
| ever changing." Certainly, using a water | | | | Fountains are Located Most, hugely impressive |
| fountain as a memorial goes a long way in | | | | memorial fountains are located in public |
| adding continuity. It is as though what has | | | | parks and squares. Obviously, communities and |
| passed or died still lives and will continue | | | | architects who take the time to recognize a |
| living for eternity. Who do Fountains | | | | significant and historical figure would want |
| Represent? While fountains as memorials have | | | | as many people to view the memorial as |
| been used throughout Europe as well as the | | | | possible. Memorial fountains are special in a |
| United States, it is really a world wide | | | | way that no other fountain is. While many |
| practice. Fountains as memorials have often | | | | fountains are used as décor or to impress |
| been used for royalty, great heroes or | | | | the public, memorial fountains are truly |
| notable politicians such as the Shaftesbury | | | | erected for remembering not only the person |
| Memorial Fountain located in Piccadilly | | | | they are built for, but also to reflect on |
| Circus, London. This fountain designed by | | | | our own lives. Memorial fountains make us |
| Alfred Gilbert in 1893 was built as a | | | | stop to think about the character of which |
| monument for Anthony Ashley-Cooper, earl of | | | | the fountain represents but also to think |
| Shaftesbury. Ashley-Cooper was a politician | | | | about our own societal contributions and |
| who worked tirelessly in English social and | | | | inspire us to such greatness as those they |
| educational reform. While it seems that many | | | | commemorate. |
| fountains are used as a memorial for mostly | | | | |
| males, one commemorative fountain | | | | Elizabeth Jean writes water fountain and |
| representative of a woman is the Josephine | | | | related articles for Garden-Fountains.com, |
| Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain located in | | | | the #1 destination on the internet for wall |
| Bryant Park behind the New York Public | | | | fountains, garden fountains, and Distinctive |
| Library. Built in 1912, this fountain was the | | | | Water Features. |