Gardens took many forms in Islamic lands, from the quadripartite chahār bāgh to the stepped terrace garden, the simple courtyard with central water basin, and many other plans. In addition to simply offering respite from the hot arid conditions of the surrounding landscape, the garden could express important ideas about sovereignty, territory, stewardship, wealth, and religion. While domestic and palace gardens were often sites of entertainment, they could also be stages for political display. In cemeteries and tomb gardens, the garden's repeating cycle of re-bloom and rebirth after