THREE WATER FOUNTAIN TRADITIONS

Water fountain history stretches all the way back into antiquity, to ancient Greeks, Romans and Persians, through to Arab scientists, Renaissance artisans and modern artists – and that’s just counting the Western world. As people have appreciated fountains through the ages they’ve attached special customs to them. Here are three of them, with notes about how you can use them to add a custom touch to your own fountain.
Coins in the Fountain: Tossing coins into outdoor fountains is a tradition you can find throughout Western nations. It actually began in the Bronze Age, when fountains were associated with particular gods. People would toss gold and other valuables into the fountain as a sacrifice to get the resident deity to grant their wish. (This is also where the “wishing well” tradition comes from.) The most famous example of this tradition comes from Rome’s Trevi Fountain, where throwing a coin into the fountain is supposed to ensure that some day, you’ll return to the Eternal City.

To give your own Classical-style garden fountain an air of authenticity, consider adding a few coins to its basin yourself. Just make sure that there’s no chance of the coins being sucked into the pump.

The Green Fountain: Dying a fountain’s waters green for St. Patrick’s Day seems to date back to Irish abroad, and is observed in various cities across the US. (In Chicago, they even dye the river green!) On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, even the White House got into the act.

If you want to observe this tradition for a St. Patrick’s Day party, use nontoxic food coloring that dissolves in the water thoroughly enough not to leave any grit. This can be done with both outdoor and indoor fountains. Patch test part of the basin with a small amount of the dye to make sure it won’t stain.

Locks of Love: This custom is only a few years old and again involves the famous Trevi Fountain. Thanks to a popular film in Italy, couples have now leave locks inscribed with their names on nearby gates and posts. They throw the keys into the fountain’s water. In this case, this lucchetti d'amore tradition actually began with a bridge over Florence’s Arno River; the Trevi Fountain seems to have attracted it by virtue of its fame. Unfortunately, the custom is turning into something of a nuisance and is punishable by a fine.

Adding a key to the basin and attaching an inscribed lock to nearby railings or other garden features is a way to add this romantic tradition to your own fountain. Plus, as a new custom it’s a conversation starter. The only drawback is that people will consider you to be hopelessly romantic.