THE SACRED FIG

It has been widely disputed amongst biblical scholars that it may have been a fig and not an apple that was eaten by Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden. Amid these learned academics the bone of contention is that God created the fig not the apple as the centre piece and ‘tree of life and knowledge’ in the biblical garden.

Genesis 3:6 states:’ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God  said: Ye shall not eat of it, ' And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.’

Not only is this a hotbed debate, but we are also told in the Bible, Genesis 3:7, that Adam & Eve covered their nakedness with fig leaves. So powerful and majestic is this tree, with its lush green, sharp woody scented leaves and sweet honeyed fruit, that throughout history it has been widely revered and held sacred.

The Fig has been with man as early as 288BC, the earliest recorded planting by King Tissa occurred at the Anuradhapura Temple. This ancient Fig is holy to Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims and is known as the Sacred Fig. Originating from the Middle East and spreading through into East Asia, the Fig is symbol for long-life happiness, prosperity and fertility.

For centuries man has nourished himself with the fruit of this generous tree. It has shaded him from many hot arid sunny days and lulled him to sleep with the intoxicating scent of her foliage and fruit.

In Ancient Greece Plato, philosopher and mathematician claimed that the scent of the Fig is a stimulant for memory and intelligence. Going by the immense intelligence that Plato had, one could not be wrong in thinking this may be true.

With all this worship and majesty of this Genus Ficus, how could a modern perfumer not be intrigued by the reverent fig? How could one not want, or desire to create a scent from this opulent plant?

The first sole Fig scent was created in 1994 for L’Artisan by Olivia Giacobetti. It was called Premier Figuier. Up until that time, fig was not really considered as a main ingredient in scent.

The central attraction in Premier Figuier is the fig; sweet, woody fresh, of course, but Olivia Giacobetti's  aim was to produce a Grecian summer holiday in a bottle. She achieved this by blending fig leaf with the mouth watering fig fruit, sandalwood, lime, coconut and almond milk to recreate the fresh sea breeze while sitting under a shady fig tree on a warm balmy day.

Not too often in a perfumers lifetime do they create a scent that has that ‘WOW’ factor, this was one of those moments. Olivia Giacobetti began a new trend that many other ‘noses’ would follow.

In 1996 Dyptique with the creative genius of Olivia Giacobetti created Philosykos a blend of three basic notes fig leaves, fig and cedar. This was a fresher aromatic version of her first fig scent created for L’Artisan. Imagine leaning against a marble balcony in a chic Mediterranean resort with the wind sweeping gently through your hair and the scent of ripening fresh figs filtering through a cool subtle breeze. This perfume is not gender specific, not too softly feminine nor sharply masculine, but it has a powerful means of transporting you to another place.

Philosykos

Ten years later in 2006 Acqua di Parma released Fico di Amalfi from their Blu Mediterraneo collection. Compared to Dyptique’s Philosykos this is a very feminine, fruity fig. Acqua di Parma has looked at the fig and has interpreted it from yet another perspective. This fig is juicy, dulcet and floral. The top note of various citrus gives a fresh start but then as its worn it develops into a spiced fruit by the addition of pink pepper, fig leaf and jasmine and as it begins to settle the warmth of musk and cedar is slightly sweetened by the fig nectar.

So the fascination with fig continues and in 2010 Annick Goutal released Ninfeo Mio, an ethereal wood nymph scent if there ever was one. No self respecting fairy or sprite could possible resist wearing this. It was the creation from the imagination of Camille Goutal and Isabelle Doyen. They wanted to create a scent of a garden a friend told them about that was in Rome called Giardino di Ninfa. Topped with citrus and fig, sweetened with lavender, the addition of wood notes and a hint of musk this fragrance will transport you to this garden in a magical instance.

Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio

If this wasn't enough to intrigue you into at least sampling one of these scents Thierry Mugler of the renowned Angel (created in 1992, it being the first authentic ‘gourmand’ and a new classification of perfume invented,) released Womanity. In 2010 fig has made a comeback in a most unusual way. Thierry with the assistance of the perfumer Mane created a salty sweet fig essence. It is best described as an essence for its forever lasting silage. This is an unusual scent a totally sugary sweet fig comparable to a saccharine drenched baked fig tart, which has accidently been smothered in salty Beluga caviar, and served on a country style wooden board.

What more can be said about this fragrance? If the liquor itself doesn't amaze and fascinate you, the bottle surely will with its Gothic metal overtone and pink liquid.

I truly believe our love affair with the fig is destined to continue..

                  L'Artisan available @ Galerie de Parfume Myer Melbourne
                       Annick Goutal & Acqua di Parma available @ David Jones Melbourne
                       Womanity available @ David Jones & Myer Melbourne
                        Dyptique Phylosikos available @ Mecca Myer melbourne