Synopsis
The ancient Near Eastern garden symbolizes cosmic order, royal authority, and spiritual longing. From Mesopotamian temple gardens to Persian palace landscapes and Babylon’s Hanging Gardens, the garden is seen as an earthly reflection of paradise. Its design follows religious, political, and aesthetic ideals. In the Abrahamic religions, the garden becomes the mythical origin of humanity. Oriental garden art expresses the enduring hope of recreating the lost paradise on earth.
