RESEARCH ARTICLE Page 1 LANDSCAPE ONLINE 46:1-19 (2016), DOI 10.3097/LO.201646 Persian Gardens: Meanings, Symbolism, and Design Leila Mahmoudi Farahani*, Bahareh Motamed, Elmira Jamei Deakin University, School of Architecture and Built Environment, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong; 3220, Australia Abstract Culture and identity in a society can be represented in the architecture and the meanings intertwined with it. In this sense, the architecture and design are the interface for transferring meaning and identity to the nation and future generations. Persian gardens have been evolved through the history of Persian Empire in regard to the culture and beliefs of the society. This paper aims to investigate the patterns of design and architecture in Persian gardens and the meanings intertwined with their patterns and significant elements such as water and trees. Persian gardens are not only about geometries and shapes; but also manifest different design elements, each representing a specific symbol and its significance among the society. This paper seeks to explore Persian gardens in terms of their geometric structure, irrigation system, network construction and pavilions alongside design qualities such as hierarchy, symmetry, centrality, rhythm and harmony. In the second stage, the paper investigates the fundamental symbols and their philosophy in the creation of Persian gardens and in relation to the architecture and design. Keywords: Persian gardens, symbolism, meaning, culture, chahar-bagh Submitted: 1 October 2015 / Accepted in revised form: 3 January 2016 / Published: 31 January 2016 *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] © The Authors. 2016. Landscape Online. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ISSN 1865-1542 – www.landscapeonline.de – http://dx.doi.org/10.3097/LO.201646 LANDSCAPE ONLINE 46:1- 19 (2016), DOI 10.3097/LO.201646 Page 2 Titel... 1 Introduction The purpose of designing gardens in Persia, was not only limited to providing green spaces for the inhabitants, but also creating the opportunity for arden has been defined as ‘the purest of human further interaction between the human and nature Gpleasures and the greatest refreshment to the as well as creating various ranges of functions spirits of man’ (Bacon 1883). According to Hunt, (Gharipour 2011) and promoting Persian culture gardens are “concentrated or perfected forms of via various design elements (Müller-Wille 2001). In place-making’ (Hunt 2000). Garden is also perceived fact, Persian gardens are not only about beautiful as a symbolic site, resulting from the human’s geometries and shapes; but they manifest different attempts to materialize Eden on the earth (Alon- design elements, each representing a specific Mozes 2004). In the Greek text of the Bible, a garden symbol. This paper aims to review three selected has been expressed as a “paradise”. In Hebrew Persian gardens from the central district of Iran in “Eden” is translated to an unidentified region or terms of their design, geometry and typology which country. In Persian literature, the word garden has been usually derived from their function and “pardis” derives from the word “paridaiza” which geographic location. It also explores the fundamental literally means “walled garden“ and it has been symbols and their philosophy used in the creation of summed up as a luminous and perfumed place, Persian gardens and in relation to their architecture populated by a number of angelical and beautiful and design. creatures (Babaie 1997). A considerable amount of literature has been The earliest evidence of Persian gardens was published on the meaning and symbolism of Asian recorded in 600 B.C. at the Palace area in Pasargadae and Persian gardens (Alemi 1390; Ansari et al. 2008; and dates back to the final years of the reign of Cyrus Borazjani & Javadi 2004; Shahidi et al. 2010). There the Great (559-30 B.C.). The garden was based on is also some research on the occurrence of gardens the Zoroastrian division of the universe into four within Persian literature, carpets, miniature and parts, four seasons or the four elements; water, other sorts of art. However, there has been relatively wind, soil and fire (Karimi-Hakkak 1998). A mystical little published on the application of meanings feeling for flowers and a love of gardens are integral and symbolism in the design and architectural parts of ancient Persian gardens. The Persian garden discourse of the garden. Therefore, this paper seeks is a manifestation of supreme values and concepts to investigate how the layers of meaning in Persian and is well-known as a bridge connecting the two gardens have penetrated to different elements and worlds of matter and meaning. aspects of garden design. In this regard, three well- known gardens have been selected amongst Persian The philosophical design concept of Persian gardens gardens around the country: (1) Shahzadeh-Mahan is believed to be rooted in the four sacred elements Garden, (2) Fin Garden, and (3) Chehel Sotun Garden. of water, wind, fire and soil. The geometrical design All of these gardens are located in semi-desert and of Persian gardens has been reflected in Persian desert lowland zones near to the vast deserts of carpets, potteries and visual arts. The other distinctive Iran: Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut (Fig. 1). feature of Persian gardens, which contributes to the introspective characteristics of ancient Persian In the first instance, through the investigation of the people, is the wide application of thick brick walls, literature and analysis of selected famed gardens which surround the entire rectangular plan of the located in the central hot and dry district of Iran, the garden. Other traits of Persian gardens include: the paper carefully investigates the patterns of design application of perpendicular angles and straight and physical qualities common in Persian gardens. lines, ponds and pools to supply the water and Afterwards, the paper reviews the literature of highlight the scenic landscape view, simultaneous Persian gardens to seek the meanings and symbolism use of evergreen and deciduous trees, planting of behind the design and different elements. Lastly, the various types of plants and consideration of focal a reasons behind formation of the gardens in regard pavilion known as Kooshk. to the semantic value have been discussed. ISSN 1865-1542 - www.landscape-online.de Official Journal of the International Association for Landscape Ecology – Regional Chapter Germany (IALE-D) LANDSCAPE ONLINE 46:1- 19 (2016), DOI 10.3097/LO.201646 Page 3 Titel... Figure 1. Placement of the three selected gardens in Iran, close to the central deserts. (Source: own work) 2 Persian Gardens inspired by the geometrical motifs of Mesopotamia and Sindh Valley civilizations (Massoudi 2009). During the Islamic period, the geometric quartered ersian gardens were designed with a sacred pattern of Persian gardens became more reinforced Pgeometry representing and illustrating a union by the belief of four heavenly streams; as it was of mortal/material world and the eternal universe similar to the image of the heaven in the Quran (Khansari et al. 1998). Therefore, the geometric (Mansouri 2011). Therefore, the general pattern structure can be considered as one of the most of most Persian gardens consisted of a rectangular prominent features of Persian gardens. The initial space which is quartered by intersecting streams structure of Persian gardens was based on a and pathways. The common irrigation system of the geometrical quadripartite division with a pavilion in time has been known as another effective factor in its intersection. The general idea of this formation the formation of geometric garden structure besides was based on the pre-Islamic Iranian division of the impact of Persian beliefs and morals (Naghizadeh the earth into four quarters, which may have been 2013). ISSN 1865-1542 - www.landscape-online.de Official Journal of the International Association for Landscape Ecology – Regional Chapter Germany (IALE-D) LANDSCAPE ONLINE 46:1- 19 (2016), DOI 10.3097/LO.201646 Page 4 Titel... In this paper, the structure and spirit of Persian famous Persian poet, has increased the visitor’s gardens will be investigated in three selected fame attraction to this garden. Persian gardens, which have been registered in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. These gardens have 2.1 Persian gardens architecture and components been selected based on their location and their period of constructions. They are all located in the Through a superficial view, the structure of Persian hot and dry climate of central district of Iran and gardens seems to be unsophisticated; however have been built between Safavid dynasty (1501– excavating the layers of meaning concealed behind 1736) and Qajar dynasty (1785 to 1925). Fin and this simplicity, demonstrates a careful representation Chehel-Sotun gardens are two of the oldest standing of meanings, culture and identity. The following gardens in Iran, which have been built in the Safavid sections will address the common components and Dynasty. design elements/strategies that have been utilized in Persian gardens. Fin is a historic garden and palace located a few 2.1.1 Geometric structure kilometres outside of Kashan just by the outskirt of Silak hills in the desert. The garden which has A careful review of Persian gardens reveals that been positioned in a desert has been there since despite the small differences, gardens mostly follow the ancient time. Even middle ages travellers have the same structure in their location of components. referred to this garden as a green and cool climate Most gardens have rectangular plans and have stop (Faghigh et al). The existing garden has been been divided into square or pseudo-square shapes, built by the famous Safavid Kin, Shah Abbas in the possibly, for the ease of determining the distance 17th century to honour Shah Ismail, who was the first between garden components and the exact Safavid ruler.