Landscape in Myth & Poetry

ASSIGNMENT
Topic:
Landscape in Myth & Poetry
Subject- Theory of Landscape Architecture
Made By-
Pranav Gupta
M. Arch. Landscape Architecture
2nd SEM
Landscape in Myth & Poetry

Garden has been defined as the purest of human
pleasures and the greatest refreshment to the spirits of
man (Bacon 1883). According to Hunt, gardens are
concentrated or perfected forms of place-making
(Hunt 2000). Garden is also perceived as a symbolic
site, resulting from the humans attempts to materialize
Eden on the earth (AlonMozes 2004). In the Greek text
of the Bible, a garden as been expressed as a
paradise. In Hebrew Eden is translated to an
unidentified region or country. In Persian literature, the
word garden pardis derives from the word paridaiza
which literally means walled garden and it has been
summed up as a luminous and perfumed place,
populated by a number of angelical and beautiful
creatures (Babaie 1997).
The philosophical design concept of Persian gardens is
believed to be rooted in the four sacred elements of
water, wind, fire and soil. The geometrical design of
Persian gardens has been reflected in Persian carpets,
potteries and visual arts. The other distinctive feature
of Persian gardens, which contributes to the
introspective characteristics of ancient Persian people,
is the wide application of thick brick walls, which
surround the entire rectangular plan of the garden.
Other traits of Persian gardens include: the application
of perpendicular angles and straight lines, ponds and
pools to supply the water and highlight the scenic
landscape view, simultaneous use of evergreen and
deciduous trees, planting of various types of plants and
consideration of focal a pavilion known as Kooshk.
The purpose of designing gardens in Persia, was not

only limited to providing green spaces for the
inhabitants, but also creating the opportunity for
further interaction between the human and nature as
well as creating various ranges of functions (Gharipour
2011) and promoting Persian culture via various design
elements (Mller-Wille 2001). In fact, Persian gardens
are not only about beautiful geometries and shapes;
but they manifest different design elements, each
representing a specific symbol. This paper aims to
review three selected Persian gardens from the central
district of Iran in terms of their design, geometry and
typology which has been usually derived from their
function and geographic location. It also explores the
fundamental symbols and their philosophy used in the
creation of Persian gardens and in relation to their
architecture and design.
A considerable amount of literature has been published
on the meaning and symbolism of Asian and Persian
gardens (Alemi 1390; Ansari et al. 2008; Borazjani &
Javadi 2004; Shahidi et al. 2010). There is also some
research on the occurrence of gardens within Persian
literature, carpets, miniature and other sorts of art.
However, there has been relatively little published on
the application of meanings and symbolism in the
design and architectural discourse of the garden.
Therefore, this paper seeks to investigate how the
layers of meaning in Persian gardens have penetrated
to different elements and aspects of garden design. In
this regard, three wellknown Gardens have been
selected amongst Persian gardens around the country:
(1) Shahzadeh-Mahan Garden, (2) Fin Garden, and (3)
Chehel Sotun Garden. All of these gardens are located
in semi-desert and desert lowland zones near to the
vast deserts of Iran: Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut.
In the first instance, through the investigation of the
literature and analysis of selected famed gardens
located in the central hot and dry district of Iran, the
paper carefully investigates the patterns of design and
physical qualities common in Persian gardens.
Afterwards, the paper reviews the literature of Persian
gardens to seek the meanings and symbolism behind
the design and different elements. Lastly, the reasons
behind formation of the gardens in regard to the
semantic value have been discussed.

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ASSIGNMENT

Subject- Theory of Landscape Architecture

Landscape in Myth & Poetry

The purpose of designing gardens in Persia, was not

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