Scent of Serenity: Sandalwood
In the realm of natural wonders, few things captivate the senses and evoke a sense of serenity like sandalwood. This precious aromatic wood has been cherished for centuries for its mesmerizing fragrance, cultural significance, and versatile applications. From ancient rituals to modern perfumery, sandalwood continues to enchant and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on history and culture.
The indelible fragrance of sandalwood is an unforgettable memory for those who have journeyed to India. This revered tree has long been associated with a protective aura, believed to dispel malevolent spirits with its pervasive aroma that fills rooms, clings to garments, and envelops the senses.
For centuries, incense infused with sandalwood has served as a purifying agent, employed to cleanse and sanctify sacred spaces of spiritual significance. Renowned for its durability, sandalwood was often chosen for temple construction due to its resilience against pests such as white ants. According to Indian folklore, the sandalwood tree is perpetually surrounded by serpents, bewitched by its alluring fragrance.
Beyond its ceremonial use, sandalwood holds decorative significance, notably in the application of fragrant paste as the bindi adorning the foreheads of Indian women. Symbolically, this aromatic wood is linked to notions of rebirth and spiritual transcendence, evidenced by its historical use in embalming rituals to facilitate the soul's ascent to the afterlife.
Floris is delighted to showcase our Santal collection, dedicated to the mystical wood of Sandalwood.
Fougère, Woody
FRAGRANCE NOTES
TOP NOTES:
Bergamot | Black Pepper | Cardamom | Green Grass | Lemon
HEART NOTES:
Clove Bud | Lavender | Nutmeg
BASE NOTES:
Amber | Cedarwood | Frankincense | Musk | Sandalwood | Vanilla | Vetive
Santal takes its inspiration from a Sandalwood fragrance originally created in the 1800s which has then been given a distinctive contemporary edge. Sandalwood is a iconic Floris ingredient which has always been popular because of its sensual associations and for its deep, smooth, woody character.
Today, Santal Eau de Toilette is still a firm favourite, a contemporary and elegant scent revered by the modern-day gentleman. A universal scent that can be worn to the office or the final flourish to a sophisticated evening of cocktails and the theatre or equally a decadent scent to wear on romantic weekend away.
The botanical term Santalum likely originates from the Sanskrit word candráh, signifying luminous or white, a reflection of the wood's pale hue. This distinctive fragrance emanates from a towering tree, capable of reaching heights of up to ten meters, characterized by its evergreen foliage adorned with crimson blossoms. The timber, dense, yellow, and finely grained, possesses a remarkable longevity of scent, enduring for decades unlike many other aromatic woods. Revered as one of the world's most costly woods, it yields Sandalwood oil, extracted from its roots and heartwood upon reaching maturity at 30 years of age.
Beyond its ceremonial significance, Sandalwood exhibits aphrodisiac properties, presenting a dichotomy of cerebral, cooling notes juxtaposed with intensified aromatics, inducing a state of tranquility and sensuality. In the realm of aromatherapy, Sandalwood serves to alleviate the toll of excessive mental exertion, with its harmonious fragrance believed to instill calmness, alleviate tension, and foster inner peace.
Sandalwood provides a strong warming foundation to many of our Floris scents, adding a distinctive lustre and aura. A woody note, that is simultaneously, calming and invigorating. The scent of sandalwood is a harmonious symphony of woody, sweet, and creamy notes that create an enduring and universally appreciated fragrance.
The Sandalwood & Patchouli home fragrance range is a delightful addition to any room or space. Scenting rooms is a Floris tradition.
Fresh bergamot and a twist of orange lifts a warm heart of rose and jasmine, spiced with cinnamon and clove.
An exotic blend, with sandalwood and patchouli, a touch of earthy vetiver combined with soft sweet vanilla and musk give this lingering woody amber its distinctive character.