History and Contexts of Perfume - Assignment Example

History and Contexts of Perfume Introduction There are various products which most people consider important in their daily lives. These products and even activities often influence their sense of completion in their day, as well as their general well-being. Perfumes are one of the products which people often apply as part of their daily wear. This paper will be a reflective essay covering my experience of not applying this product for a week, including reflections on why and how the product has become an indispensable part of my life. Various questions will be considered in this essay, including the socio-cultural factors which have impacted on the development of the product. This paper will also consider how this product has become an appropriate and creative solution or improvement in people’s lives. The needs met by this product shall be made part of this discussion including its impact on a greater historical or sociocultural context. Body Since I entered high school, I have been wearing perfume almost every day. It has become part of my daily routine, very much like taking a bath or brushing my teeth. It was therefore a significant change for me to stop wearing perfume. The lack of it sometimes made me feel that I missed an important step in my daily routine, akin to not taking a bath or not brushing my teeth. Nevertheless, after a week’s time, I felt less bereft about not wearing perfume. By that time, I came to understand that I felt the loss of the habit more than the actual scent of the perfume. While reading up on the history of perfumes, I came to understand why its popular use came about. Although its early use mostly related to religious and ritualistic practices, it was also used by women for beautification purposes (Strathern, 2000). In the current context, I understood such purpose more than the religious and ritualistic applications. I would be the first to admit that vanity has a lot to do with my use of perfumes. I wanted to smell good basically, and I also wanted to smell good to other people. In Cyprus, where one of the oldest perfumeries was found, priests used perfume to perform religious rituals; however, women were also allowed to use it as a means of presenting their beauty (Morris, 2002). Vanity and beautification has therefore long been a part of perfume wearing. Vanity and beautification was also apparent in the French courts during Louis XIV’s reign as the monarch was known for requiring different scents to permeate his palace on a daily basis (Morris, 2002). During Napoleon’s time, Josephine was also known for her penchant for perfumes, often bathing in scented waters to satisfy her ardent desire for beauty (Morris, 2002). In further reflecting on the history of perfumes, I also note how this product was often used to mask body odours or unpleasant odours in general (Stamelman, 2006). This was seen in Renaissance Italy where perfumes were used by the royalty and other wealthy individuals to mask their body odours. Elizabeth I of England was also known for her dislike of bad smells; as a result, areas she was set to visit were often scented to cancel out any unpleasant odours (Stamelman, 2006). I have written in my reflection that I also sometimes used perfumes to mask body odour. I was fairly confident that I did not give off any unpleasant body odour, however, during days which were particularly warm, I found myself wishing I was wearing my perfume. In other words, I felt less confident in my scent and I felt that the perfume could somehow give me confidence in my body scent. Under this context, the wearing of the perfume was an indispensable part of my life because it gave me confidence in whatever personal vanity I had. Socio-cultural factors impacting on the development of the product mostly include the religious elements, especially as the act of burning and the resultant smoke was perceived as a way of finding favour with the gods (Blackman, 2008). The use of perfume on one’s body was also prompted by the need to please the gods especially among ancient Egyptians who felt that smelling good would make their gods more benevolent to them. On a more contemporary context, the attractiveness aspect attributed to perfumes is very much apparent, as indeed, I wanted to be perceived favourably by others through my perfume. Since the creation of perfumes has long been considered a costly enterprise, only the wealthy people could afford its use (Van Toller and Dodd, 1992). As such, the use of perfumes was also associated with prestige and wealth. Such wealth allowed some citizens to bathe in perfumed waters as well as scented oils and creams. For the Romans, bathing in these perfumed baths also represented decadence for the wealthy, especially as they were known to bathe several times a day (Dugan, 2011). With the spread of Christianity however, the use of perfumes was slightly tempered, especially with the practice being labelled as indulgent and contrary to Christian values. The sense of morality attached to the use of perfume or any other form of indulgence has been a common thread for the Church (Dugan, 2011). I note during my reflection that there were times when I did feel self-indulgent whenever I put on my perfume and when I stopped wearing it, I felt a loss which was related more to my sense of vanity and self-indulgence. The expansion of sociocultural exchanges through travel eventually led to the widespread use and manufacture of perfumes (Elliott, 2004). The Muslims were often engaged in travel and were strong users of this product. As perfume use spread, more makers of the product soon participated in the creation of more scents. Its use however still applied to those who could afford the scents (Elliott, 2004). As such, the use of perfumes still very much associated with wealth and prestige. Developments in its application also expanded among the French when the product was also used for clothing as well as furniture in order to make rooms more fragrant. Soon enough, ladies would develop skills in mixing scents in order to create their personal fragrances (Sherrow, 2001). With more technological advancements in its development, perfume-making also became scientific. This led to more scents being developed and more people having access to its use. In discovering the rich history behind perfumes, I feel largely informed about its religious connections (Sherrow, 2001). In retrospect, I do understand now the use of incense and of burning during various religious rituals. This is a common practice seen for different religions and it is enlightening to note that the performance of such rituals eventually initiated perfume use. The product was considered an appropriate improvement at the time because it was seen as a means for the people to find favour with their gods, and later to also appeal to other people. Beauty soon became an aesthetic goal for perfume use, especially as it was also applied in order to mask unpleasant odours (Gabriel, 2008). The need to express one’s veneration and favour with the gods was the primary need which was fulfilled by the use of perfumes. However, this need soon related to vanity and beauty as it was also later used as a means of being more appealing to other people as well as to establish some form of prestige in the community. This product influenced the society in terms of the trade relations and transfer of traditions made possible by the perfume (Gabriel, 2008). Through travelling tradesmen, this product was improved and expanded. It also became an unspoken link between the different cultures. A common thread for perfume users regardless of culture and religious affiliation is the fact that its use has been linked to aesthetic purposes. It did not serve a basic need for sustenance or survival, but it mostly served a personal need for the users. In reflecting on these elements in the development of perfume use, I note that my use of the product was not a need which I had to fill. The fact that I was still able to carry out my usual activities efficiently without its use told me that it is a product I would be able to discard and eliminate from my daily wear. I also realized the significant amount of vanity attached to perfume wearing. Since its earliest usage, it has been associated with the need to smell pleasant. I also noted that taking a bath for some cultures was not given as much attention as the wearing of perfumes. This is an enlightening data for me as I recall how Muslim and Indian acquaintances often exude strong fragrances which often remind me of various fragrances. Conclusion It was a significantly enlightening experience for me to stop wearing perfume for a week. At times, I felt somewhat uneasy and bereft without it, however, I was surprised to note how I was eventually able to adjust to its absence. I associated perfume use with vanity and beauty and in so many ways, these were my reasons for wearing perfume. In reviewing its history however, I was also surprised to note how perfumes were first generated from the performance of religious rituals. In understanding better the history of perfumes, I was also able to gain a deeper and less superficial appreciation for the product. I am quite sure I would return to my daily use of perfumes, but I am also confident in the fact that its use would have a deeper and more informed meaning for me. References Blackman, L. (2008). The body: The key concepts. Berlin: Berg. Dugan, H. (2011). The ephemeral history of perfume: scent and sense in early modern England. Maryland: JHU Press. Elliott, L. (2004). The Middle Ages. London: Crabtree Publishing Company. Gabriel, J. (2008). The green beauty guide: your essential resource to organic and natural skin care, hair care, makeup, and fragrances. New York: HCI. Morris, E. (2002). Fragrance: the story of perfume from Cleopatra to Chanel. California: E.T. Morris Sherrow, V. (2001). For appearance sake: The historical encyclopaedia of good looks, beauty, and grooming. Michigan: Greenwood Publishing Group. Stamelman, R. (2006). Perfume: Joy, scandal, sin - a cultural history of fragrance from 1750 to the present. New York: Rizzoli. Strathern, P. (2000). Mendeleyevs Dream - The quest for the elements. New York: Berkley Books. Van Toller, C. & Todd, G. (1992). Fragrance: The psychology and biology of perfume. London: Springer. Read More