History Of Fragrances
What is it that fragrance brings into
our lives?
Fragrance is all around us. The scent of flowers,
salty ocean air, tree resins. Fragrance products
have striven to capture the beautiful scents of
the natural world and reproduce them for use as
body perfumes, incense and other beauty products.
For thousands of years humanity has practiced
the art of making and using fragrance products
to enhance spiritual states, feelings of well-being
and beauty.
The burning of incense that accompanied the religious
rites of ancient China, Palestine and Egypt eventually
led to the use of perfumes. In Greece, where flower
ingredients were first developed, the use of perfumes
became widespread.
During the Middle Ages the knowledge of perfumery
was brought to Europe from the East. Most perfumes
today are blends of natural and synthetic scents
and of fixatives that equalize vaporization of
the blends and add pungency.
The ancient practices of using incense for prayer,
to keep away evil sprits and for meditation still
go on today and include the more modern practice
of Aromatherapy.
Cultural Impact of Fragrance -
Fragrance is an integral part of our lives and
culture, and has been for thousands of years.
In fact, every culture around the world has used
fragrance to enhance the experience of being alive.
Cultural uses around the world include the spiritual
traditions which burn incense and other fragrance
products as well as the using fragrance to bring
about meditative states, relaxation or to increase
energy and stamina.
Cultures value the different affect combinations
of fragrance can have according to their worldviews.
While some people may put great value on the fragrances
which create feelings of sensuality or happiness,
others might seek out combinations which create
relaxation or exhilaration.
In the modern day fragrance and its effects on
mood, energy and spiritual states has become a
science, as well as a multi-billion dollar per
year industry.
Interesting Tidbits to “CallOut”:
The word perfume is derived from the Latin ‘per
fumum’, meaning “through smoke.”
Today, America is the largest fragrance market
in the world.
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