Iran’s long and eventful history holds countless untold stories. While many scholars have studied it, much still remains hidden, awaiting discovery through research and inquiry.
Cyrus the Great, the wise and benevolent king of Iran, is best known for writing the world’s first charter of human rights and embodying the principles of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds—values rare among rulers of his time. Yet, one of his achievements has received less attention: his vision of prosperity and construction alongside conquest, justice, and peace. How did Cyrus create his sanctuary, and what was the nature of his paradise?
Founded around 530 BCE, Pasargadae was Cyrus’s ceremonial and administrative capital. It included his tomb, sacred precincts, palaces, and pavilions. At its heart lay the Pasargadae Garden, or Royal Garden, which this article explores.
Watching the documentary The Splendor of Pasargadae, I was struck by both the grandeur of this garden-city and Cyrus’s advanced understanding of water management. A key question arose: why did such a powerful king leave his garden without defensive walls? Was he not concerned for his safety or that of his family? Or was he pursuing a greater purpose, sending a message to future generations?
Research into the design of the Pasargadae Garden shows that it can be regarded as the very prototype of Persian gardens, a model of harmony, openness, and visionary planning.
The word bāgh (garden) appears in Middle Persian. In Manichaean texts it is written as b’w, and in Sogdian as bag, meaning a plot of land. It is related to the Avestan and Sanskrit terms for “portion, share, or property” (Islamic Encyclopedia, 2002, p. 206).
Another important term is pardis (paradise), which refers to an enclosed space. It comes from pāiri (around) and daeza (wall or fortress), a Median word showing that gardens and enclosures were already known in that era. In the Achaemenid period, a tree-filled space was called pāiri-daeza. The Persian pālīz and the Arabic firdaws share the same root. From Iranian languages the word later entered Greek, Latin, and eventually English and French as paradise.
Xenophon records that wherever the Achaemenid king stayed or traveled, he ensured there were gardens full of beauty, known as pardis (Dehkhoda Dictionary). During and after the Achaemenid era, magnificent gardens were widespread across Iran, as Xenophon frequently mentions (Arianpour, 1986: 28).
This article follows a historical-interpretive method based on library research. Key sources include The Persian Garden: Reflection of Paradise by Mahdi Khansari, Research on Persian Gardens and the Historic Gardens of Shiraz by Alireza Arianpour, and articles by David Stronach and Mohammadreza Mehrabani Golzar. The documentary The Splendor of Pasargadae was also consulted.
Purpose and Meaning in the Persian Garden
Nine Persian gardens are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites: Pasargadae, Eram, Chehel Sotoun, Fin, Abbasabad, Shazdeh, Dowlatabad, Pahlavanpour, and Akbarieh. What distinguishes these gardens from others worldwide? Do they embody a unique philosophy? And which was the first Persian garden?
The role of gardens in wise and lasting cultures
Culture is a broad network of ideas, beliefs, customs, traditions, and habits, expressed both spiritually and materially. Like an inheritance, it is passed down through art, monuments, literature, rituals, and music, shaping a community’s identity (Mafi & Sheikh Beiklo Islam, 2024: 114).
In many civilizations, gardens held special meaning. They symbolized an earthly paradise—a sanctuary for peace and a reflection of humanity’s vision of an ideal world. Each culture expressed this through its own architecture and harmony with nature.
In Iran, with its ancient civilization, gardens always carried deep importance for kings and people alike. The garden of Pasargadae is considered the earliest known Persian garden, its design influencing later traditions. Persian gardens are a living heritage, built on three essential elements—water, vegetation, and architecture— arranged in precise geometric order.
A Glimpse into Ancient Garden Traditions
Gardening has deep roots in the ancient world. Mesopotamian myths mention temple gardens, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon—attributed to Nebuchadnezzar II—symbolized both royal power and devotion to his Median wife. Assyrian kings like Sargon also used gardens as emblems of authority (Stronach, 1994: 57).
In Egypt, gardens developed along the Nile as early as the 3rd century BCE (Fadaei Timajani, 2024: 48). In China, some of the earliest landscape designs are found in Suzhou, while Homer’s poetry shows that Greek homes had courtyards and gardens by the 2nd century BCE.
In Iran, although possible Elamite or Median gardens have not survived, the first clear evidence appears in the Achaemenid era. The royal garden of Pasargadae, created under Cyrus the Great, became the model for the enduring Persian garden tradition.
Eastern (Chinese/Japanese) Gardens
This style, found in China and Japan, suits warm, humid climates and emphasizes harmony with nature. Trees and plants are left largely untouched, sometimes complemented by bonsai or colorful flowers. Geometry and symmetry are minimal, and natural features like rocks, streams, and ponds are preserved. Large buildings are limited, letting greenery dominate the landscape.
Roman (European) Gardens
Found in temperate, moist climates, this style emphasizes symmetry and geometric design. Palaces, fountains, and walkways are central, while plants and trees are pruned into orderly, often symmetrical patterns. Large structures occupy significant space, and natural vegetation is replaced with carefully arranged, decorative plantings.
Design and Layout of the Persian Garden
The Persian Garden tradition has endured for centuries, surviving cultural shifts and continuing under Muslim rulers. It later spread to India and southern Spain, influencing garden design abroad. As Will Durant notes, “The Persian-style garden was imitated by other nations, spreading among Muslims, Arabs, and in India, and inspiring Europeans in the Middle Ages” (Mostafazadeh & Ansari, 2015: 12).
A Persian garden is built around three key elements: plants, water, and architecture, arranged geometrically. Water provides evaporative cooling in hot, dry climates, while trees and vegetation offer shade, reduce sunlight, and block dry winds. Simple buildings made from local materials complete the serene environment.
The design serves multiple purposes: climatic (cooling, humidity retention, wind control, shade), spiritual (creating peaceful spaces for reflection, honoring the four elements or cardinal directions, symbolizing the journey from darkness to light), and political (displaying the ruler’s power and grandeur). These factors together define the distinctive character of Persian gardens.
4-2. Iran’s Climate
Climate strongly affects plant growth, water availability, construction, and daily life—and thus directly shapes garden design.
Iran’s climate is diverse: northern coasts are temperate and humid, southern coasts warm and humid, western mountains cold, while most of the central and eastern plateau is hot and arid.
Arid regions are defined where potential evaporation exceeds rainfall (Kardavani, 1999: 27). This predominantly dry climate has deeply influenced Persian garden design. The next sections explore the three key elements: water, plants, and architecture.
2-5. Water and Irrigation in Persian Gardens
In Iran’s hot, dry climate, effective water management has always been vital, particularly for agriculture and gardens. Water, one of the four akhshij, held both practical and spiritual importance, reflected in the worship of deities like Anahita and Tir in the Avesta.
To cope with scarcity, Iranians devised innovative solutions, including dams, channels, reservoirs, and most notably the qanat (kariz) system—an enduring example of sustainable human-nature interaction. These methods ensured efficient use, preservation, and distribution of water, shaping Persian garden design and supporting life in arid regions.
2-6. Planting in Persian Gardens
Water management has always shaped Persian garden design. Trees and plants are arranged in geometric plots, often square or rectangular, divided into smaller sections to allow efficient irrigation and minimize waste.
Planting reflects local climate: Shiraz gardens feature shade trees and citrus, while Kerman’s Prince Garden places plane and poplar trees to the north and cypresses to the south, east, and west for shade and protection from sandstorms (Fadaei Timajani, 2011: 54).
Shade trees along main axes, symbolic plants like cypress, and diverse species both enhance aesthetics and protect against pests. The overall layout creates a harmonious and visually pleasing experience for visitors.
2-7. Structures in Persian Gardens
A Persian garden’s key feature is its enclosing wall, which provides security, protects against winds and sand, retains moisture, offers shade, and creates secluded spaces for reflection.
The kūshk or pavilion, built alongside the garden, offers shaded areas and verandas overlooking the garden. Fountains, pools, or water channels add humidity and cool the space. Local materials like mudbrick and brick are typically used.
Stone or brick pathways allow easy movement throughout the garden.
2-8. Geometric Design in Persian Gardens
Persian gardens reflect harmony with nature and climate, with trees and plants arranged in an orderly pattern guided by the irrigation system to ensure efficient water use.
These gardens follow a deliberate geometric plan, often called “sacred geometry,” creating consistent, recognizable layouts that reflect Iranian beliefs and worldview (Barati, 2017: 7).
Two main geometric patterns prevail: gardens divided into four rectangles or squares, and those organized around a single main axis.
2-8-1. The Four-Part Geometry of Persian Gardens
Estronach describes Pasargad as divided into four symmetrical sections, while also noting a central main axis. Pope similarly highlights the chahār-bāgh (four-part garden) design in Iranian art, inspired by the idea of a fourfold paradise (see Figure 1).
This layout, often separated by intersecting water channels, can represent:
- The four elements (wind, earth, water, fire)
- The four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west)
- The four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter)
- The four climatic conditions (cold, hot, dry, humid)
Though emphasizing the four-part structure, Estronach notes the presence of a central visual axis in Pasargad. This geometric pattern is seen in later gardens such as Chehel Sotoun in Isfahan, Khosrowabad in Sanandaj, and Nazar Garden in Shiraz.
2-8-2. Single-Axis Geometry in Persian Gardens
The single-axis design is common in gardens such as Delgosha and Afifabad (Shiraz), Dowlatabad (Yazd), El-Goli (Tabriz), Shazdeh (Kerman), and Fin (Kashan). In this layout, the garden is organized along a central axis, with elements like pavilions and water channels aligned along it.
This design reflects the Iranian worldview of moving from darkness to light. The entrance, or hashti, is a low, dim space symbolizing ignorance, while the main pavilion at the other end represents knowledge and enlightenment. The central section, with trees, water, and scenic views, guides visitors along a symbolic journey toward spiritual awareness, harmony, and peace.
- Pasargad Garden: The First Persian Garden
Historical records and archaeological evidence confirm that gardens existed in the Achaemenid era. Pasargad Garden, with its rectangular chahār-bāgh layout, is considered the first Persian garden and a model for later designs.
Cyrus the Great built the garden alongside his palace, unlike Assyrian and Babylonian gardens, which were separate from royal residences. The palace featured verandas opening to the garden, making it an integral part of the royal complex.
Innovations such as symmetrical pavilions and stone water channels first appeared at Pasargad and continued in later Persian gardens. As the earliest example, Pasargad Garden marked a key milestone in Iranian garden design and inspired many historic gardens that followed.
3-1 Design of the Pasargadae Garden
This section examines the layout and design of the Pasargadae Garden, considered the first Iranian garden. To understand it, three key elements of Iranian gardens are analyzed: water and irrigation system, tree planting, and auxiliary structures.
3-1-1 Irrigation System of the Pasargadae Garden
The garden features stone water channels made from finely cut limestone blocks, harmonizing with the architecture of nearby palaces. The channels are about 25 cm wide, with square basins measuring 80 cm placed every 13–14 meters along the paths.
The garden’s water source is the permanent Polvar River, fed by the springs of Qasr-e Ya’qub and northern hills, distributed throughout the garden via gently sloping canals. Fountains and basins not only add aesthetic value but also increase humidity and reduce water loss.
This design reflects the builders’ understanding of limited water resources and harmony with nature. It became a model repeated in later Iranian gardens.
2-1-3 Tree Planting in the Pasargadae Garden
Centuries of time, invasions, and neglect have left little of Pasargadae’s original vegetation. Still, the essence of a garden lies in its plants, which were typically native and adapted to local conditions.
In dry Pasargadae, drought-tolerant and shade-providing trees were favored, possibly alongside ceremonial or symbolic plants. Khansari notes the garden likely included cypress, sour cherry, pomegranate, bitter orange, and groundcover or aromatic plants like clover, rose, jasmine, iris, and tulip (Khansari et al., 2004: 83).
Tree planting followed the garden’s geometric irrigation layout, making watering more efficient and minimizing water loss. This design shows that Cyrus the Great recognized the importance of water management and preservation.
3-1-3 Structures Adjacent to the Pasargadae Garden
Archaeological evidence at Pasargadae shows the foundations of two palaces and two kiosks near the garden. These outward-facing structures featured large porticoes opening toward the garden, providing shade and helping to reduce heat.
Estronach suggests that Cyrus’s throne was placed along the garden’s main axis, allowing him to oversee state affairs while enjoying the view. The garden combined a four-part symmetrical layout with a long central vista, a design that influenced later Persian gardens.
Only the bases of the kiosks remain, and other palace structures are not discussed here.
In summary, Pasargadae was a geometrically organized, rectangular garden, fully integrated with irrigation and planting systems to conserve water. Its features—geometric layout, main axis, extended views, water channels, and garden-facing porticoes—formed the foundation for later Persian gardens, making it the earliest model of the Iranian garden.
4- Cyrus’s Purpose in Building His Paradise
Cyrus the Great, a wise and capable ruler, sought peace and comfort in nature. His royal garden, part of the larger Pasargadae garden-city, was designed for serenity, with greenery and plants enhancing the beauty of nearby structures.
A notable question is why the garden had no walls. Likely, the main walls protected the entire garden-city, while the royal garden may have been enclosed by a now-vanished vegetative fence. Its open design emphasized harmony with the surrounding landscape and accessibility to the palace.
Another idea, though without definitive evidence, is that Cyrus the Great may have intentionally left his garden unwalled. Perhaps he wanted everyone to see it. While the king’s residence was not accessible to all, many people passed through Pasargadae daily, allowing glimpses of the royal garden. Even from afar, the surrounding hills made it possible to sense the presence of Cyrus.
Prosperity, greenery, and life in gardens were clearly important to him. His respect for water reflects his wisdom: it was a resource for all, not just himself. By creating a garden—a paradise—Cyrus demonstrated harmony with nature and provided a model for others to learn from. As a ruler familiar with distant lands, he understood Iran’s need for fertility, perhaps explaining why he left the garden open for all to see.
Cyrus seemed to show that paradise lies in nurturing the land, fostering life, and bringing well-being to people, plants, and animals. This echoes Zoroaster’s teaching: “Happiness belongs to those who wish happiness for others.”
Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity, declared: “Happiness belongs to those who make others happy” (Yasna Haptanghaiti 43:1). True happiness, as Zoroaster taught, comes from wishing well for all beings and the universe.
Cyrus the Great embodied these teachings in his reign. Unlike other rulers of his time, he treated conquered peoples with humanity—for example, ordering his soldiers not to harm the Babylonians and allowing the Jews to return to their homeland. His respect for life and nature was inseparable from his leadership.
Though some scholars separate Cyrus’s actions from Zoroaster’s wisdom, the influence of Zoroaster’s teachings is clear. Guided by this wisdom and his own insight, Cyrus created the paradise of Pasargadae as a model of harmony with nature, inspiring prosperity and well-being for Iran and the world.
