Lotus

The lotus flower is therefore typically Asian, as are its powdery scents, which find their way into perfumes to bring aquatic and exotic freshness to beautiful floral or oriental compositions.

The lotus flower and the legends of the sacred lotus

The lotus flower originated in Asian countries, where its roots spread as rhizomes to grow above the water. This ability of the lotus flower is certainly one of the reasons for its importance, as it is the only flower that stands above the water rather than being carried along by currents like others; thus Buddha was long depicted with this flower for its own ability to hover above the ground. According to legend, as soon as Buddha set foot on the ground, clusters of lotus flowers would appear...

For China as for the Hindu religion, the lotus flower likewise represents purity. Thus the Chinese philosopher Zhou Dunyi said of it that the lotus flower remains completely pure whatever the mud it grows from, and it is not coy despite bathing in clear water, which explains its high symbolism.

Yet despite this high sanctification of the flower, the lotus has been cultivated for its seeds, its roots and its flowers for over 2000 years in Asia. Its scents, at once green, fresh, delicately floral while being very aquatic, attracted the curious noses of perfume creators seeking to bring a piece of the sacred flower to their fragrances.

Our floral and exotic perfumes elevated by the lotus flower

The lotus flower note can be created using lotus flower absolute, a precious and today relatively luxurious substance in fine perfumery. In floral perfumes, the lotus becomes tender and powdery, while in woody or oriental fragrances its fresh and watery facets are brought forward.

Aside from a few exceptions, the lotus note appears in the heart notes of lovely floral and green perfumes. Absolument Absinthe by Absolument Parfumeur exhales the lotus flower note among a heart bouquet of white flowers, spices, galbanum and absinthe. For Swarovski's green floral Aura Eau de Mariage, lotus pairs with peony in a very floral, velvety and powdery heart, like a call to spring. In Blue Charm by Azzaro, the lotus flower is joined by another beautiful Asian flower, daphne, and the muted whiteness of lilac, for a perfume meant to be floral and green, evoking the magic of blossoming trees in the Asian spring...

The lotus flower, as in Blue Charm, can also be used in oriental perfumes both for its fresh, green facet and for its scents of elsewhere, its delightful Asian perfumes. Grès's lovely CALINE, for example, offers a luxurious and sensual universe with lotus notes paired with plum, silk tree and jasmine... A guaranteed olfactory journey!

Of course, the very floral facets of lotus are, as can be seen, widely used in women's perfumery. However, certain men's perfumes seeking to offer originality and a touch of freshness to woody or oriental scents, such as Bulgari Man, may exhale the lotus flower as a top note, offering men the pleasure of a fresh and very green opening without being lost in overly feminine fragrances...