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Styles
The six primary styles of the Persian garden may be seen in the following table, which puts them in the context of their function and style. Gardens are not limited to a particular style, but often integrate different styles, or have areas with different functions and styles.
Classical Formal Casual
Public Hayat Meidan Park
Private Hayat Chahar Bagh Bagh
Hayat
Main article: Hayat
Publicly, it is a classical Persian layout with heavy emphasis on aesthetics over function. Man-made structure in the Garden is particularly important - with arches and pools (which may be used to cleanse). The ground is often covered in gravel or some other hard stone-derived substance. Plantings are typically very simple - such as a line of trees, which also have the function of shade.
Privately, these gardens are often pool-centred and again structural. The pool serves as a focus and to humidify the surrounding atmosphere. Again, there are few plants - this is often due to the limited water available in urban areas.
Meidan
Main article: Meidan
This is a public, formal garden which puts more emphasis on the biotic element than the hayat and minimises structure. Plants range from trees, to shrubs, to bedding plants, to grasses. Again, there are elements such as a pool and gravel pathways which divide up the lawn. When structures are used, they are often to shade such as a pavilion.
Chahar Bagh
Main article: Chahar Bagh
These gardens are private and formal - the basic structure consist of four divided corners. These are often divided by waterways or pathways. Traditionally, such gardens would be used in work-related functions for the rich (such as communicating with ambassadors). These gardens balance structure with greenery - with the plants often around the periphery of a pool and path based structure.
Park
Much like many other parks, the Persian park serves a casual public function with emphasis on plant-life. They provide pathways and seating, but are otherwise usually limited in terms of structural elements. The purpose of such places is relaxation and socialisation.
The six primary styles of the Persian garden may be seen in the following table, which puts them in the context of their function and style. Gardens are not limited to a particular style, but often integrate different styles, or have areas with different functions and styles.
Classical Formal Casual
Public Hayat Meidan Park
Private Hayat Chahar Bagh Bagh
Hayat
Main article: Hayat
Publicly, it is a classical Persian layout with heavy emphasis on aesthetics over function. Man-made structure in the Garden is particularly important - with arches and pools (which may be used to cleanse). The ground is often covered in gravel or some other hard stone-derived substance. Plantings are typically very simple - such as a line of trees, which also have the function of shade.
Privately, these gardens are often pool-centred and again structural. The pool serves as a focus and to humidify the surrounding atmosphere. Again, there are few plants - this is often due to the limited water available in urban areas.
Meidan
Main article: Meidan
This is a public, formal garden which puts more emphasis on the biotic element than the hayat and minimises structure. Plants range from trees, to shrubs, to bedding plants, to grasses. Again, there are elements such as a pool and gravel pathways which divide up the lawn. When structures are used, they are often to shade such as a pavilion.
Chahar Bagh
Main article: Chahar Bagh
These gardens are private and formal - the basic structure consist of four divided corners. These are often divided by waterways or pathways. Traditionally, such gardens would be used in work-related functions for the rich (such as communicating with ambassadors). These gardens balance structure with greenery - with the plants often around the periphery of a pool and path based structure.
Park
Much like many other parks, the Persian park serves a casual public function with emphasis on plant-life. They provide pathways and seating, but are otherwise usually limited in terms of structural elements. The purpose of such places is relaxation and socialisation.
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