Editing Paradise (section)

=== Tomb Gardens as representing Paradise ===
There is not yet concrete evidence that Islamic gardens were solely intended to represent images of paradise. However, it can be deduced from certain inscriptions and intentions of structures, that creating an atmosphere of divinity and serenity were part of the artists' intentions.

Tombs became the metaphorical 'paradise on Earth' for Islamic architecture and gardens; they were a place of eternal peace were devout followers of God could rest.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fairchild |first=Ruggles |title=Islamic Gardens and Landscapes |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=2008 |location=Pennsylvania |pages=103 |language=English}}</ref>

'''The Taj Mahal'''

Upon the exterior of the tomb mausoleum of the Taj Mahal, inscriptions of passages from the Qur'an adorn the exterior facades, encasing the iwans. These inscriptions rehearse passages of an eschatological nature, referencing the Day of Judgement and themes of paradise.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fairchild |first=Ruggles |title=Islamic Gardens and Landscapes |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=2008 |location=Pennsylvania |pages=113 |language=English}}</ref> Similarly, the placement of the tomb structure within the waterscape garden environment heightens the conceptual relationship between tomb gardens and a place of paradise as discussed in the Qur'an.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fairchild |first=Ruggles |title=Islamic Gardens and Landscapes |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=2008 |location=Pennsylvania |pages=115 |language=English}}</ref> Similarly, the white marble used for the construction of the tomb mausoleum, furthers the relationship between the purity and divinity of the tomb, elevating the status of the tomb to that of paradise. 
[[File:Taj Mahal, Agra, India edit2.jpg|thumb|Tomb mausoleum at the [[Taj Mahal]]]]