Roman
The
Roman Empire was one of the most widespread and influential societies to day.
The empire lacked a complete separation between church and state, making
religion a key part of everyday life, including in terms of gardens and their
designs. While many features of Roman gardens were practical (such as water
features used to cool the surroundings) or aesthetic, several features had
important religious significance. There were typically shrines or statuary
paying respect to specific gods and goddesses, many of whom had been taken from
the Greek Empire. These came in many forms, including a nymph-shrine water feature
(Aedicula), and frequently the herm (a statue comprised simply of a head,
column, and genitalia). Plants were also used in symbolic religious expression
for the Romans.
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| http://openbuildings.com/buildings/chiswick-house-profile-6502 |
Mediæval
In
the Mediæval era, there was a strong emphasis on original sin and salvation
through the Church, which was reflected in the garden art of the time, with the
Church having a large level of influence. The Church created the Mediæval
monastery, which was utilitarian and practical, with a driving purpose of
self-sufficiency. These monastic gardens were primarily function, but had
symbolism, through the cloister and paths symbolizing the four rivers leaving
Eden. Additionally, there was a separate type of garden in the Mediæval era,
known as Hortus conclusus, or the Mary gardens, which were more ornamental with
symbolism both in concept and in plant selection of the Virgin Mary.
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| http://imgarcade.com/1/medieval-garden/ |
Muslim
The
gardens of Islam were aesthetically very different from those of the Roman and
Mediæval eras, although they also included a significant level of religious
symbolism. In the Islamic religion, heavy emphasis was placed on creating
beauty as a form of reverence. There was also stress on inner richness of
beauty with a humble outer appearance, which was reflected in the closed,
humble outer confinements of gardens. The Qur’an acted as a blueprint for
garden design, and gardens were meant to be representations of Paradise after
life. Water features played an essential symbolic role, with four incorporated
as the four rivers of life. The four garden beds defined by the water features,
known as chahar bagh, represented the earthly paradise.
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| http://lifeinstillmode.blogspot.dk/2012/03/indian-char-bagh-garden.html |
In
all three eras studies thus far, symbolism in the garden was a direct
reflection of religious beliefs, and allowed for a guided expression of
religion in an aesthetically pleasing form.
The following website discusses further examples of religious garden art in different cultures:
http://www.gardenvisit.com/history_theory/garden_landscape_design_articles/sacred_gardens
