A Vintage Garden in Shiraz

Text: Zahra Ashraf
Visuals by: Zahra Ashraf

From the Arab conquest of Persia in 637 A.D. until the present times, the Persian Gardens have represented images of Paradise, with their dynamic realm of visual, acoustic and aromatic affects. Beyond doubt, the relatively arid and tree less lofty Persian plateau gave the gardens such supreme value. The life giving aspects of the gardens delineating pools of water and over hung by the tree of life, with the world shown as if divided into four quadrants appeared upon the earliest decorated Persian pottery. This type of cross plan arrangement, intercepted with a focal point in the centre either as a pool or a pavilion became the hallmark of Persian gardens under the name Chahar Bagh. Basically a private formal garden the Chahar Bagh was traditionally used by the affluent for entertaining in a protected and relaxing environment; essentially a paradise on earth.

One such Chahar Bagh caught my instant fancy on a quaint April afternoon while travelling in Iran.  Perhaps it was the mood coupled with the ambiance or that particular moment in time that this vintage garden in Shiraz made me reflect deeply upon “Behesht” the perfect Garden of Paradise that is promised to the faithful and the righteous.

Shiraz is home to two of the greatest poets the world has known, Hafez (1324 – 1389) and Sa’di (1207 – 1291).  The aramgahs (tombs) of these poets are nestled in pristine gardens which are visited by young and old alike for poetry recitals and pleasure.  Hafez displayed real devotion to his birth place and many of his verses refer to the charms of Shiraz, as these lines:

“Joy to Shiraz and its unrivaled border
O heaven preserve it from decay.”