The words wabi and sabi have evolved in meaning over many centuries and have a new meaning again when put together.

The words wabi and sabi have evolved in meaning over many centuries and have a new meaning again when put together. In the Zen style the meaning is subjective and open to interpretation. Wabi can be applied to a way of life that is simple, unmaterialistic, humble, appreciative, considered. A wabi person would be happy with very little and content within him or herself, someone who has transcended the need for material wealth to define him or herself. Sabi can be applied to an imagery that is transient. The look of something that shows its age, that imparts something of its life. This could be the patina of an old leather jacket, weathered stone or seasoned wood. Sabi represents the passing of time and is tinged with sadness, perhaps a longing for the carefree existence of childhood. When put together wabi sabi would logically mean being in a simple state of living placed in the context of the passing of time, however, I will leave you the freedom to develop your own feel for the words by studying wabi sabi further.