Perfume Pilgrim

Where can I find a scent seller like the one in a charming story by the Noble Literature Prize nominee and Korean poet,  Ko Un. In his story of a pilgrims spiritual quest, called, “Little Pilgrim” there is a story about the protagonists meeting with the blue lotus perfume seller. The pilgrim Sudhana has been despairing at having learnt nothing at all on his spiritual quest, when a song drifts toward him, sung by the old perfume seller. Her lyrics are more than a market sellers chant or a PR media campaign offering empty promises. She is offering a perfume where after one breath, “your whole being will brim with joy” or anointed in that perfume, “you may enter a furnace unscorched”. Or another refrain that says that this fragrance will fill “the enemy army with thoughts of love” and a scent whereby all crimes are abolished and the smelling of which “provides a deep meditation”

As the pilgrim heard these words “a faint perfume filled the air” and his mind was “delivered from the melancholy… and once again overflowing with joy.

Who can tell me, have you found such a fragrance?

 In the middle ages pilgrimages were a way to see the world, and seek God’s favour, receive blessing and healing amongst many other motives.  Most places of pilgrimmage sold souvenirs of the pilgrims journey. In addition to pilgrim badges, people could purchase clay or metal ampullae (small holy water flasks) to carry back on the journey home. Here is a wonderful article on Pilgrimmage Art on PDF and here are some UK detector finds of Ampullae. The image I have added is of an ampullae available to see at the V&A museum in London. If you are interested in buying replicas try here. The name for this blog was inspired by these ancient ampullae and I draw parallels between my modern day search for the odor of sanctity, with the medieval tradition of buying bottles of holy water. Are we not all buying something much more ineffable than scented water? With names like opium, samsara, virtue, pleasure, joy etc are these not qualities closer to emotions, virtues and divine qualities?

On my recent trip to Paris I happened upon two organic perfumes promising “vitality” and “presence” and beneficial for L’Esprit. Traditionally, aromatherapy has extolled the physical and healing benefits of scents and oils, as does Unani Medicine and many religious traditions.  There are even certain Afro Carribean Protestant Christians, according to W. Zane in his book Journey’s to the Spiritual Lands” where in a ritual called “Rising” the floor that a pilgrim has laid on is spiritually cleansed by washing it with perfume. In one extraordinary church the famous Florida Water is poured on the floor and then set fire to. The pilgrim is then made to walk through the fire. (Disclaimer: do not try this at home!) Apparently, the pilgrims spiritual journey becomes more intense and vivid after this ritual. Historical recipes for this water include ingredients such as bergamot, lavender, lemon, cinammon, ylang ylang, neroli, jasmine, musk and rosewater. Even the original bottle lable may refer to the Fountain of Youth said to have been located in Florida.

I wonder why am I surprised by a perfume marketing suggestion that by wearing their perfume, I will magically acquire virtues? (my own words) The fragrances are really rather interesting. Presence de Bach has notes of Clematis and Vervain, wild rose and honeysuckle on a base of oak, pine and and crab apple. It is reminds me of cologne and a herbacious and softer version of 4711.  Vivacity, also manufactured by Fleur Essences et Harmonie,  is sweeter and floral. It has Gorse, Centaury, Hornbeam, Chestnut, and Olive on a base of Larch and guess what: Mustard! The sales staff at Le Printemp asked me which one I preferred and I would have to say Vivacity.

Here is a poem by the famous poet Ummi Sinan and translated in a soon to be published book by the singer and musician Latif Bolat: (Try substituting the word perfume for the word rose in this poem and come close to a concept of a perfume paradise…)The Rose by Ummi Sinan

I dreamt I came to a magnificent city
whose palace was the rose, rose.

The crown and throne of the great sultan
his garden and chambers were the rose, rose.

Here they buy and sell but roses
and the roses are the scales they use;

Weighing roses with more roses,
the marketplace and bazaar are all roses, roseOh Ummi Sinan - Heed the mystery of the sorrow of the nightingale and rose;Every cry of the forlorn nightingale
is for the rose, rose.