The Philosophy of Persian Garden Design: The Sufi Tradition

Abstract

The peoples of Persia began constructing formal gardens as early as the Achaemenid era (500-300 B.C.); these efforts reached their apex during the Sassanian era (A.D. 226-641) when magnificent gardens were laid out according to the Mandala design. After the advent of Islam in Persia in the 600s, basic concepts of garden design were developed and refined, arm many noteworthy Persian gardens were built. This article concentrates primarily on these later Persian gardens, and includes a discussion and exploration of ideas about their location, design, and elements, although such gardens are not presented in gazetteer fashion. Primary attention is given to the general concept of gardens in Islamic Persia and to design philosophy according to the Sufi tradition.