Elements of the Earthly Garden and Gardening Subtleties in Rumi's Works

Introduction

This article examines the presence of earthly garden elements and gardening techniques in the works of Molana Jalal al-Din Mohammad Balkhi (Rumi). While Rumi’s poetry is renowned for its mystical depth, this study focuses on the tangible aspects of gardens, aiming to identify and analyze his references to practical horticultural techniques rather than purely symbolic interpretations. The foundation of this research is a thematic analysis of garden-related elements and gardening references in Rumi’s poetic and prose works. Numerous terms related to gardens, plants, and horticultural activities appear throughout his writings. While some of these references are clearly linked to metaphorical meanings, they also reveal his familiarity with practical aspects of cultivation.

Literature Review

Previous studies on gardens, trees, and plants in Persian literature—particularly in Rumi’s works—have primarily focused on their symbolic and mystical significance. These studies interpret gardens as metaphors for the soul, divinity, or paradise. Scholars such as Schimmel (1993) and others have analyzed Rumi’s use of garden imagery to convey spiritual and philosophical ideas. While these studies provide valuable insights into the allegorical dimensions of gardens in Rumi’s poetry, they do not explore his potential engagement with the material and practical aspects of horticulture.
Recent works (Rezaei & Shajari, 2021; Sa'adati et al., 2020) have examined botanical references in Rumi’s poetry, but a systematic analysis of his references to specific gardening techniques and earthly garden elements (distinct from their symbolic meanings) remains largely unexplored. This article seeks to fill this gap by focusing on the tangible aspects of gardens and Rumi’s possible personal experiences with them.

Methodology

This study examines Rumi’s poetic corpus, along with his prose works (Fihi Ma Fihi and Majalis-e Sab’a), to identify references to earthly garden elements and horticultural techniques. A descriptive-analytical approach is employed to categorize these references based on:

Physical garden elements (walls, water features, plants).
Gardening activities (planting, irrigation, pruning).

These elements are then analyzed within the context of Rumi’s life and the agricultural knowledge of his time, using historical narratives and traditional Persian gardening texts. The goal is to determine whether Rumi’s garden imagery stems solely from literary tradition or reflects personal familiarity with practical horticulture.

Discussion

Analysis of Rumi’s works reveals a significant presence of garden-related terminology and descriptions of earthly gardens and horticultural activities. His poetry and prose contain references to physical garden structures, such as walls, irrigation channels, ponds, various flowers and trees, and garden pavilions. Additionally, he mentions specific gardening techniques, including seedling planting, irrigation methods, grafting, fertilization, soil cultivation, and pest management. While these references are often interwoven with metaphorical meanings, they also indicate practical knowledge of garden maintenance.
The recurrent presence of these details suggests that Rumi’s engagement with gardens was not merely abstract but likely rooted in direct observation or even personal experience. His references to gardens and horticulture are particularly evident in the following aspects:

Lived and sensory experience: His poetry is rich in descriptions of color, fragrance, sound, and texture, indicating firsthand observation.
Horticultural knowledge: Rumi discusses irrigation, pruning, grafting, and planting techniques, demonstrating awareness beyond that of a typical poet.
Spiritual gatherings in gardens: Historical records indicate that Rumi held Sama’ (spiritual music and dance sessions) in gardens, reinforcing their importance as social and mystical spaces.
Integration of the material and the mystical: While Rumi often employs garden-related vocabulary for mystical and allegorical purposes, his references to horticultural principles suggest that these images are not purely abstract but grounded in real-world experience.


Conclusion

A close examination of Rumi’s works reveals significant awareness of earthly garden elements and horticultural subtleties. His frequent poetic and mystical references to gardens and gardening techniques suggest that his knowledge extends beyond literary convention. The presence of detailed horticultural descriptions indicates that his garden imagery is layered with tangible experience and direct observation of the natural world. This interplay between the earthly and the spiritual highlights Rumi’s holistic worldview, where practical aspects of life—such as garden care—deepen mystical understanding. Future research on Rumi’s biography and agricultural practices of his time could provide further insights into this underexplored dimension of his works.