National Fragrance Day
The air smells like National Fragrance Day as it is March 21.
The word 'fragrance' is derived from "frāgrantia" that is Latin for a sweet smell or pleasant aroma. Perfume, on the other hand, is also derived from a Latin word 'per fum us' that means "through smoke". In its historical context, this refers to the act of using smoke or vapor to spread fragrances, especially through burning aromatic substances like herbs, resins, or woods.
The Interesting History Behind Fragrances and Perfumes
Do you know the first ever perfume-maker in the history of the world? It was a woman named Tapputi and the period was somewhere around the second millenium BC. Yes, perfumes have been around for that long and who knows maybe even more.
In ancient times, perfumes were mostly used for spiritual and religious purposes. The ingredients of such perfumes also largely different as raw materials such as flowers, resins, gums, herbs, spices, roots, and so on.
There is not really one origin of perfumes. The history of perfumes springs from Egypt, China, Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.
By the time the Greeks and Romans came around, perfumes weren’t just for rituals anymore- they were all about showing off wealth and living the high life. People started using them to smell good, feel fancy, and enjoy a little luxury. Over time, the art of making perfumes kept evolving, mixing science, culture, and style to become the thriving industry we know and love today.
Interesting and Fun Facts
- Hair holds fragrance better than anything else but it is recommended not to do so because the alcohol in perfumes can dry out your hair.
- The same perfume smells different on people because it reacts with their unique skin chemistry, creating a distinct scent.
- Best perfume spritzing places on your body? It's inner wrists, behind your earlobes, and inner elbows. It is because these are pulse points, where the blood vessels are closer to the skin. This warmth from your body helps to naturally diffuse the fragrance into the air, making it more noticeable and long-lasting.
- There is no expiry date on perfumes generally but it is recommended to use within three to five years.
- Perfume fragrance is like a secret key to the brain's emotional core, unlocking memories, shaping moods, and leaving lasting impressions with just a single whiff.
Fragrances of Comfort and Joy
- Cookies or cake baking in the oven
- Coffee brewing at home
- Freshly cut grass on a sunny morning
- Oranges being peeled, releasing their citrusy scent
- A new box of crayons or markers
- The clean, crisp scent of mountain air
- Freshly washed hair
- Incense sticks
- Freshly kneaded dough
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