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Fond of their gardens, Tang emperors built them as sanctuaries for peace and quiet. Gardens consisted of artificial ponds, large rocks, uniquely shaped trees, pavilions, and bridges. They represented a model of the paradise of the gods. It was during the late Tang era that new forms of the garden were produced; the most influential of this design was Li Te-yu of the 9th century. He was famous for the garden in Chang an, which was especially known for its odd shaped stones and misshapen trees. Due to Li's influence, the small, man-made mountain typical of older gardens was changed into a huge stone with a distorted surface, which became the main attraction of gardens during the 9th century. Water lilies (a symbol of purity and truth), lychee trees, winter plum blossoms, bamboo plants (symbolized strength and long friendships), and narcissuses were all commonly found in the Chinese gardens. The blooming of a narcissus was thought to bring good luck for the new year.