PARADISE PORTRAYED — The Notion of Paradise in Visual Traditions and Cultures

Paradise Portrayed explores the concept of Paradise across visual traditions and cultures, treating it as an enduring and ongoing human pursuit. It considers how Paradise has been depicted through religion, mythology, and secular thought alike. The most recurring visual image of Paradise is a symmetrical, walled garden centred on water—most famously articulated as the chahar bagh of Persian and Mughal traditions. The paper connects this image to poetry, music, textiles, and even the contemporary digital world, and considers why the idea has persisted for so long and continues to resonate today.

Keywords: Paradise, Persian gardens, Mughal gardens, chahar bagh.