Nature's Poetry Unveiled: Exploring the Symbolism and Design Philosophy of Chinese and Persian Gardens through Metaphor and Art

Mengbi Li; Hing-Wah Chau; Elmira Jamei; Hamidreza Pourakbar

doi:10.22616/j.landarchart.2023.22.16

Authors

Mengbi Li Victoria University, Australia
Hing-Wah Chau Victoria University, Australia
Elmira Jamei Victoria University, Australia
Hamidreza Pourakbar Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22616/j.landarchart.2023.22.16

Keywords:

Chinese garden, Persian garden, symbolic meaning, art, nature

Abstract

This paper delves into the symbolism and design philosophy of Chinese and Persian gardens, revealing the profound depths of their metaphorical and artistic expressions. As landscape architecture, gardens act as conduits for cultural transmission, embodying an understanding of the cosmic order and reflecting the passage of history. Focusing on pre-modern Chinese and Persian gardens, this study explores their design philosophy and characteristics. Chinese gardens prioritise the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature, exemplified through a deep reverence for the natural world. Meticulous treatment of the landscape seamlessly integrates gardens with their surroundings, drawing inspiration from elements found in Chinese landscape painting. Persian gardens, on the other hand, showcase the distinctive Chahar Bagh layout, providing glimpses into an ideal cosmic order. Influenced by the beauty of Persian poetry, these gardens take on the essence of living poems, evoking a sense of tranquillity and allegorical meaning. Waterways, pavilions, and lush vegetation create captivating oases within the arid landscape, inviting relaxation. By analysing the architecture, symbolism, and design philosophy of both Chinese and Persian gardens, this study uncovers the remarkable similarities and differences that exist between them. However, these gardens extend beyond their physical manifestations, beckoning visitors to engage with metaphorical realms. The integration of poetry, painting, and various art forms enriches the multidimensional experience, eliciting profound sentiments and unlocking the transformative power of nature's poetry. Ultimately, Chinese and Persian gardens embody the very essence of nature's poetry, serving as bridges between built environments, humanity, and the natural world. Through the harmonious fusion of art, design, and the intricate relationship between humans and nature, these gardens inspire awe and reveal the timeless beauty that resides within nature's realms.

Author Biographies

Mengbi Li, Victoria University, Australia

Course Co-Chair of Building Design, and First Year College Liaison at the College of Sport, Health and Engineering, and Research Fellow of the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC), Victoria University. Her research interest is in seeking pathways to intellectual understanding and response in architecture from its own history and culture. She is an Editorial board member for the Journal of Chinese Architecture and Urbanism. She also serves as a reviewer for a number of highly-ranked international journals. Room 606d, Building D, Victoria University Footscray Park Campus, 70/104 Ballarat Road, Footscray, VIC3011, Australia.

Hing-Wah Chau, Victoria University, Australia

Course Chair in Building Design and Senior Lecturer in Built Environment at the College of Sport, Health and Engineering and Research Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities (ISILC), Victoria University. His research interests lie in sustainable built environment, architectural and urban design, design for ageing and inclusive design, as well as design for health and wellbeing. Room 606e, Building D, Victoria University Footscray Park Campus, 70/104 Ballarat Road, Footscray, VIC3011, Australia.

Elmira Jamei, Victoria University, Australia

Associate Professor in Built Environment at the College of Sport, Health and Engineering, and Associate Director Engagement and Impact at the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC). She is also the Deputy Director for Green Research Translation at ISILC.

Hamidreza Pourakbar, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

Has graduated from Hakim Sabzevari University at Sabzevar, in Iran. He is a member of ICOMOS and the Iranian Landscape Science Association in Tehran, Iran. Number 210, Khaghani7ST, Khaghani BLV, Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan, Iran, Postal Code: 9177749439.

References

Bacon, F. (1883). Of gardens (1625). In: Dixon Hunt, J. and Willis, W. P. (eds). The Genius of the Place–The English Landscape Garden 1620-1820. The MIT Press, London, 1988.

Hunt, J. D. Greater Perfections: The Practice of Garden Theory. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2000.

Alon-Mozes T. Gardens and the Emergence of Culture: The Meir Garden: The first Hebrew garden for the first Hebrew city—Tel Aviv. Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes. 2004 Jan 1;24(1), p. 55-64.

Huang, J. Modern Design Application of Chinese Traditional Gardening Theory of “Man Living In Harmony With Nature”. Paper presented at the 2008 9th International Conference on Computer-Aided Industrial Design and Conceptual Design.

This principle was eloquently encapsulated as follows: “Though crafted by human hands, it seems as though it were born of the heavens. 虽由人作，宛自天开”. Ji, C. Yuan Ye 园冶 [Craft of Gardens]. Nanchang: Jiangxi meishu chubanshe, 2018 (first published in 1631 CE), p. 10.

Ji, Yuan ye 园冶 [Craft of Gardens]. p. 4.

Fung, S. Here and There in Yuan Ye. Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes. 1999, No. 1 (19), p. 36-45; Peng, Y. Zhongguo Gudian Yuanlin Fenxi 中国古典园林分析 [The Analysis of Classical Chinese Gardens]. Beijing: Zhongguo jianzhu gongye chuanshe, 1986.

Zhang, J. Yuanye Quanshi 园冶全释 [Craft of Gardens and Its Translation]. Shanxi guji chubanshe, 1993, p. 300.

Zhang, Yuanye quanshi 园冶全释 [Craft of Gardens and Its Translation]. p. 154.

Guo, X. Linquan Gaozhi 林泉高致 [The Lofty Message of Forest and Streams]. ca. 1000-1090 CE; Jing, H. Hua Shanshui Fu 画山水赋 [On Chinese Landscape Paintings]. 907–960 CE.

Wang, W. Shanshui Jue 山水诀 [The Knack of Landscape Paintings]. 701-761 CE.

Wang, Shanshui Jue 山水诀 [The Knack of Landscape Paintings].

Keswick, M., Jencks, M., and Hardie, A. The Chinese Garden: History, Art and Architecture. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003.

Keswick, Jencks and Hardie, The Chinese garden: History, art and architecture. p. 131.

Zhou, D. Ailian Shuo 爱莲说 [On Loving of the Lotus]. 1071 CE; Zhou, D. and Feng, X. On Loving of the Lotus. 2009.

Zhou, Ailian shuo 爱莲说 [On Loving of the Lotus].

Zhang, Yuanye quanshi 园冶全释 [Craft of Gardens and Its Translation]. p. 214–15.

Wen, Z. Zhangwuzhi 长物志 [Treaties on Superfluous Things]. ca. 1622.

Wen, Zhangwuzhi 长物志 [Treaties on Superfluous Things].

Fung, S. Movement and Stillness in Ming Writings on Gardens. Landscape Design and the Experience of Motion, 2003, 24, p. 260.

Chen, C. Shuoyuan: On Chinese Gardens. Shanghai: Tongji daxue chubanshe, 1984, p. 90.

Zheng, J. Menghuanju Huaxue Jianming 梦幻居画学简明 [The Essence of the Painting Technique of the Menghuanju [Dream] Studio]. 1813-1874 CE.

Mansouri, S. A., Nattaj, V. H. Chahār Bāgh? A Study of the Origin of the Chahār Bāgh Concept as a Model for Iranian Gardens. MANZAR, the Scientific Journal of Landscape, 2011, No. 3(14), p. 16-23.

Farahani, L. M., Motamed, B., Jamei, E. Persian Gardens: Meanings, Symbolism, and Design. Landscape Online, 2016, No. 46, p. 3.

Elahi Ghomshei, M. Chapter (Surah) 55, Ar-Rahman. In: The Holy Quran. Aban Book Publ., Tehran, 2006, vol.3000, p. 361-362 (verses 45, 47, 49, 51, 63, 65 & 67).

Mansoori, S., Taghvaei, S. H. Exploring the Relationship between the Historical Persian Garden and the Philosophy of Quadruple Paradigm. Iran University of Science & Technology, 2019, No. 29(2), p. 247-254.

Fallahi, E., Fallahi, P., Mahdavi, S. H. Ancient Urban Gardens of Persia: Concept, History, and Influence on Other World Gardens. HortTechnology, 2020, No. 30(1), p. 6-12.

Alidoost, S., Ansari, M., Bemanian, M. R. Sustainability of Persian Gardens: Cognition of Sustainable Features and Elements of Persian Gardens. European Journal of Social Sciences, 2013, No. 40(2), p. 265-273.

Ramyar, R. Learning from Tradition: The Role of Environment Perception Layers in Space Making - The Case of the Persian Garden. Journal of Urban Management, 2020, No. 9(2), p. 238-249.

Meisami, J. S. Allegorical Gardens in the Persian Poetic Tradition: Nezami, Rumi, Hafez. International Journal of Middle East Studies, 1985, No. 17(2), p. 229-260.

Jahromi. S. K., Khazaie, D. Garden Imagery and Connection of Three Worlds in Hafez’s Poetry. In: Cubukcu, F. and Planka, S. (eds). Enchanted, Stereotyped, Civilized, Garden Narratives in Literature, Art and Film. Königshausen & Neumann, Würzburg, 2018, p. 45-64.

Azizi-Bondarabadi, H., Sadeghi, N. H. Local Seismic Culture in Iranian Vernacular Architecture: Evidence from Yazd Earthen Architecture. Built Heritage, 2022, No. 6(5), p. 1-23.

Wilber, D. N. Persian Gardens & Garden Pavilions. Rutland,Vt.: C.E.Tuttle Co., 1962.

Shirvani, H. The Philosophy of Persian Garden Design: The Sufi Tradition. Landscape Journal, 1985, No. 4(1), p. 23-30.

Faghih, N., Sadeghy, A. Persian Gardens and Landscapes. Architectural Design, 2012, No. 82(3), p. 38-51.

Fadaie, H., Shemirani, S. M. M. The Parameters of Sustainable Landscape in Persian Garden Design. In: Advanced Materials Research. Trans Tech Publ., Tehran, 2014, vol. 935, p. 320-322.