I bet you all know the word “paradise.” Have you ever wondered where the word came from? Once upon a time around 2,500 years ago, there was a King called Cyrus. Around his palace, he decorated his own gardens around his palaces and planted the trees and seeds himself. He called the gardens “paradise.” Greek historians believed that the gardens were so beautiful. They compared the gardens to heaven on earth. I believe our gardens are absolutely stunning. I cannot imagine one person visiting a Persian garden and not being impressed.

Since what seems like forever, Persians have had this concept about their country. They want it to be one big garden. A garden has a gardener as a country should have a king. The gardener makes water channels, plants seeds and watches over the field. According to Ancient Persia’s mighty law: “The country should only have a King or Queen, submitted by God (Ahura-Mazdā) himself”. No wonder they believe that drought, rain-less years, chaos and yellow fields were the signs of an unworthy King. This also meant that the current king was not supported by God but by his own will to control power. This idea did not limit itself to gardens. In fact, all Persian famous carpets, colorful tiles, domes and even our literature, are reflecting this concept.

The names of some of our famous Gardens:

• Eram Garden, Shiraz
• Del-Gosha Garden, Shiraz
• Jahan-Nama Garden, Shiraz
• Shazdeh Garden, Mahan, Kerman
• Fin Garden, Kashan, Isfahan
• Chehel-Sotun, Isfahan
• Dolat-Abad Garden, Yazd
• El-Goli, Tabriz
• Sa’ad-Abad Garden, Tehran

We Persians have an old expression that can be translated like this; “If it’s the right flower, it will smell for itself, no need talk about it”. So enough with the talk, come and see Iran and some Persian gardens for yourself! I highly encourage you visit one of our many gardens. You will not be disappointed by their pure beauty and immaculate upkeep.