Paradeisos

PARADISE: According to Wikepedia: Originally denominated by a single noun denoting "a walled-in compound or garden", from "pairi" ("around") and "daeza" or "diz" ("wall", "brick", or "shape"), philosopher and historian Xenophon of Athens borrowed the Old Iranian *paridaiza(h), Late Old Iranian *pardēz (Avestan pairidaēza, Old Persian *paridaida, Late Old Persian *pardēd) into Greek as paradeisos. This term is used for the Garden of Eden in Greek translations of the Old Testament.

In Persian, the word pardis means both paradise and garden.The idea of the enclosed garden is often referred to as the paradise garden because of additional Indo-European connotations of "paradise"

The essential plan of a paradise garden is a four-fold layout (charbagh) with a pond or fountain in the center. Later designs incorporated a pavilion or mausoleum when they began to develop into elaborate status symbols. The rectangular or rectilinear design is typically quartered by water channels made using the ancient qanat system.

Layout of the Charbagh at the Tomb of Jahangir in Lahore

An important and common feature is the elaborate use of water, often in canals, ponds, or rills, sometimes in fountains, and less often in waterfalls. This created the soothing sound of running water and also had the practical purpose of cooling the air.

Aromatic flowers and fruit-bearing trees are quintessential elements. The ground where the flora were planted was sunken or the walkways raised so that passers-by would be able to easily pluck fresh fruit as they walked throughout the garden. Olive, fig, date and pomegranate were ubiquitous and symbolically important. Orange trees arrived from India via the Silk Road by the 11th century and were incorporated for their fragrance and the beauty of their flowers.^[7]

Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar, Kashmir depicting a water way

They are typically enclosed by high walls providing shade and protection, especially desirable in the harsh, arid climate where this type of garden flourished."

I like the idea but I don't think there will be any charbagh in my backyard. Not that I don't want one. Honestly though, who wouldn't like some shade, a nice water feature, and some sweet smelling flowers? Note to self: Buy some jasmine.