The art of gardening is rooted in remote antiquity. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, were created in the 7th century BCE. The garden is one of the most important mythological symbols: an archetype of the soul, the center of the cosmos. In the Hindu tradition, blossoming gardens with ponds and birds were considered the abode of the gods, and in Japanese culture the garden was the focal point of life energy. In Ancient Greece the garden was a place to rest and contemplate beauty. The garden was the place where the philosopher Epicurus, known for his teachings about the enjoyment of life, imparted his wisdom to his disciples. In the Middle East the garden was long a gauge of prosperity: The more luxurious the garden, the richer its owner.