Fragrance has its roots in prehistory, but it was the Egyptians who first made it for human use. Over the centuries, civilizations such as the Roman, Arab (who introduced alcohol), and Chinese have evolved its art. Today, synthetic chemistry allows the creation of innovative fragrances and high-quality dupe perfumes.
Do you love fragrances? Are you interested in deepening your knowledge? Well, here we offer you the opportunity to learn about the history of fragrance and who created it. The word “fragrance” comes from the Latin “fume” and means “through smoke.” Below, we explore its origins and how it has reached us today.
Origin of fragrance
Fragrance has existed forever, since prehistory. At first, it was used as an air freshener or ceremonial element, then it began to be applied on the skin. The oldest fragrances were discovered by archaeologists in Cyprus, where they found the first factory. It was over four thousand years old.
| Historical Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Prehistoric Use | Burning of resins and aromatic woods. |
| Cyprus Factory | Archaeological evidence over 4,000 years old. |
The first to make it for human use were the Egyptians. Oils, balsamic essences, ointments, resins diluted in wine… A whole range of products used for medicine, cosmetics, and the embalming process of the dead. It was so important to them that they even had a fragrance god, Nefertum.
Ancient Rome and Christianity
It was with the Romans that fragrances began to be used as part of personal hygiene, especially by women and all social classes. Many recipes survive, both Roman and Greek. However, with the arrival of Christianity, regular use declined except among the upper classes. During the Middle Ages, a time when personal hygiene was not widespread, women covered themselves with strong and long-lasting scents like amber.
The arrival of alchemy
It was with alchemy and the Arab civilization that experimentation and the development of fragrance resurged. The discovery of alcohol as a solvent for essences led to the creation of finer and longer-lasting aromas. The Arab people, who landed in Spain, spread the culture of fragrance throughout Europe.
Fragrance in the East
For the Chinese, the sense of smell has been one of the most important, so essences and fragrances have always held great power for them. In fact, one of the mandatory arts presented in the “Kamasutra” is the art of perfuming oneself. By the 6th century, they had large plantations dedicated to fragrance production. Flowers were cultivated to press their petals and extract their essence.
Fragrance today
Today, there are many types of fragrances and millions of ways to obtain them. With the advent of synthetic aromas, it is even possible to create new scents that do not exist in nature. New techniques allow us to unravel different essences to create dupe perfumes. Discover the full range we offer, choosing the essence that best suits your personality, is an excellent way to honor who created fragrance.
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