What You Need To Know About The History Of Perfume

What You Need To Know About
The History Of Perfume

For as long as there have
been people there has
probably been perfume. The
original origins of perfume
are not specifically known.
There is evidence that
people began using scents
and fragrances in the form
of aromatic herbs, incense
and the like thousands of
years ago.
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Egyptians created the concept of bottling perfume
in attractive bottles after devising the ability to
create glass vessels. Papyrus scrolls dating back to
2700 BC record the use of herbs and essential oils
in creating scented medications and salves.
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Of course, the fact that perfumes were used in
biblical times is well known. In the Book of Exodus,
Moses shares the recipe for creating anointing oils.
Anointing with oils is also alluded to in the Song of
Solomon and in Proverbs. Of course, there are many
references to be found in the New Testament, as
well.
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Following Egyptian use of
perfumes, other groups such
as the Hindus, Arabs,
Romans, Carthaginians,
Israelites, Chinese and
Greeks took up the use of
scents. During the 7th
Century BC there were
hundreds of perfume shops
doing a brisk business in
Athens, Greece.
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As the world moved forward
and more and more trade
routes opened up, spices
from such exotic places as
India, Southern Arabia and
Africa were in greater
supply. Persian traders
brought frankincense and
Myrrh to the Mediterranean
sometime before 300 BC.
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By the time of the First Century AD, over 2800 tons
of frankincense and more than 550 tons of myrrh
were brought into Rome on an annual basis.
Perfumes were popular and greatly in demand. In
fact, Nero, the Emperor of Rome at the time spent
the modern day equivalent of $100,000 to purchase
scents for a single event.
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It is important to realize that
in ancient times, scents were
not just used as a way of
creating a pleasant
atmosphere. Scented oils
were regarded as an effective
form of medicine. Purveyors
of fine scents were respected
as one would a pharmacist or
a doctor today.
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The Chinese originated and refined the art of
aromatherapy, and their records of their findings
date back to 1100 BC. Their discoveries are still
valuable and in use today. Many people who adhere
to Chinese medicine are familiar with the practices
of using ginger for the treatment of coughing and
cold-like symptoms.
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In the vast majority of
cultures, perfume and scents
have been highly valued. This
was the case in Japan
between the 4th & 6th
Century AD. During these
times, Geishas often
determined the fees for their
services based on the amount
of incense and other forms of
scent used.
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During the Middle Ages, the religion of Islam
spread far and wide. With it, the use of scent
was introduced to a wide variety of people. It is
said that the prophet, Mohammed, loved
women, children and perfumes more than
anything else.
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During the 13th & 14th
centuries, the Crusades had the
effect of establishing Eastern
trade. This trade was
monopolized by Italy. For this
reason, Marco Polo took his
famous trip to China for the
purpose of eliminating the
outrageous 300% profit
Moslems were making as
middlemen between China and
Italy.
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Vasco de Gama was another famous explorer who
sought a faster and easier way to get to India. He
established a simpler route that went from
Portugal and around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.
This made it much easier to get sought after
supplies of pepper, ginger, cloves and other spices
and scents.
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For quite some time, Italy was
known as the center of
discovery for perfumes and
cosmetics. By the 1800s,
though the focus was more on
France as a supplier of these
luxurious goods. In 1867, the
pharmacy section of the Paris
International Exhibition
boasted a vast array of scents,
soaps and cosmetics.
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Today perfumes fulfill a wide variety of needs
from therapeutic to frivolous. Those wishing to
anoint themselves with scent can choose from a
remarkably diverse selection of prices, levels of
quality and scents. In fact, there are over 30,000
different types of perfume and fragrance produced
worldwide today.
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What You Need To Know About The History Of Perfume

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What You Need To Know About The History Of Perfume