#honourable scent mention: frangipani

[greenlaut]

fuck it,

LIST OF INCENSES I THINK AC 1 - AC UNITY CHARACTERS WOULD LIKE

credentials: (1) incense is a big thing in my country both for daily and religious uses; (2) i have a shit ton of incenses bc i use them regularly

ALTAÏR IBN LA'AHAD — his most familiar scent is frankincense bcs either umar or rashid lit up a lot of frankincense (haha old man incense). BUT his favorite scent is jasmine because it's sweet and calming it's like a soothing balm to his running thoughts and worries. also the scent of jasmine here has supernatural connotations, so i think it's fitting for altaïr as the master assassin herald of death etc etc

MALIK AL SAYF — oud. definitely oud. very charismatic and heavy. definitely suits him bcs as soon u enter his space u will think he's someone not to be trifled with. it also has a family/brotherly connotation to it which suits malik. if u want combination; oud + sandalwood

KADAR AL SAYF — champaca. it's sweet and bright. reminds u of a singing bird maybe? if u catch a whiff of it in the wind it feels like napping in a hazy afternoon.

MARIA THORPE — jasmine with tuberose. almost woody? floral. probably reminds you of moonlit night with silk curtains blowing in the wind

EZIO AUDITORE DA FIRENZE — sandalwood. a classic. with frankincense and myrhh. this scent reminds me of church (our churches usually light these scented incenses). it's heady and heavy. if you smell it too much it can overwhelm you.

LEONARDO DA VINCI — citrus and agarwood. very playful and has creative vibes to it. it also smells very unique and reminds me of a warm person

CONNOR KENWAY — majegau. this one is very specific. majegau is a type of tree sacred to people in bali region (i'm from java so i dont know much). but the scent is very mountainous. it reminds me slightly of sandalwood but much lighter, and gives off a more foresty vibes. it has a very respectful but down-to-earth air to it that suits connor's person

AVELINE DE GRANPRE — citrus and vanilla. i'll be honest i never had this one, but i'm trusting what people said. it's apparently very unique and refreshing scent when burnt. kind of woody surprisingly with just a hint of sweetness to it. i also think aveline would like clove incense. it's sweet and has something underneath that feels like it's ready to strike

ADÉWALÉ — also an oud enjoyer methinks. maaybe oud + frankincense. i think smelling the incense will help settle down his thoughts and pain, bcs it's a very meditative and heady scent. charismatic vibes

EDWARD KENWAY — tobacco, clove, and cinnamon. it's smoky and heady. kind of pirate vibes. it's a very overwhelming scent to some people bcs of the tobacco

HAYTHAM KENWAY — i feel like he has a very old man taste so i'm chucking lotus OR frankincense. i think he'd like both bcs they're the most "classic" incense scents. definitely charismatic tbh

SHAY CORMAC — tobacco. smoky. just a classic "smokes and mirrors". it's kinda sad? it's a very lonely scent i think

ARNO VICTOR DORIAN — vanilla with sandalwood. it's heady and sweet with woody undertone to it. it has a european vibes to it that i personally dont like to light (vanilla doesnt smell good in humid weather to me), but definitely suits arno. it's sensitive yet strong, kind of tragic

ÉLISE DE LA SERRE — rose. definitely rose. cloying, floral, and sweet. has mixed receptions; it's a classic scent but i personally dont like it. i think it suits élise for her complicated nature. flitting and impossible to mistake

fin.

[tharakoekenbiergraduation]

In the early Hindu society, the use of flowers was secular. Indian culture enjoyed the scent of fresh flowers at ceremonies; garlands were sought after for their splendour as well as fragrance. Flowers, in the form of a mala (garland), were utilised for the adoration of gods, men and women. Garlands used by women as hair adornments are known as gajrai; fragrant flowers like the jasmine are the most preferred as hair adornments. The Ramayana refers to personal floral decorations used by women, including the use of lotus or jasmine flowers in the hair, and men wore floral garlands, especially in the bedroom. The gift of garland was connected with courting and marriage; according to the Manav Dharmashatra, or the Laws of Manu, it was permissible to send a woman flowers or perfume providing she was free. Comparably, a garland is a preferred prop, for a recurring theme Indian literature as well as painting, i.e. – ‘women seeking their lovers.’ For example, in the Ragamala (garland of musical modes) paintings, some melodies are represented as women waiting for their lover with garlands in their hands. The tradition of varamala (garland for the bridegroom) originated from the ancient ritual of svayamvara (the act of selecting a groom by self-choice), a type of marriage where a princess selected her husband from a public assembly of suitors by placing a flower garland around his neck. The most well-known svayamvara appear in the Vedic epics of Indian literature, i.e., Sita’s svayamvara in Ramayana and Draupadi’s in Mahabharata. Even today, in traditional Indian marriages, the ritual of a bride garlanding a groom marks the commencement of wedding ceremonies. 

Flowers are yet more important in religious rituals. Garlands serve as offerings to the gods in magnificent temples, in domestic rituals, and in public ceremonies of devotion. The name of the Hindu worship ritual ‘puja’ that translates to the “flower act” emphasises the significance of flowers in the religious context. In the past, it was customary for Brahmans to gather flowers after bathing. Flower trade is a booming industry in India even today and famous flower markets are a must on the bucket list for tourists visiting India. Garlands can be purchased from stalls in the town or even home delivered for the everyday puja. Having been brought up in a Brahman family, I have had the privilege to witness my father perform the puja every morning, clad in a dhoti (traditional attire) in an accurate Brahman flair. In our home, the usual offerings to the many gods of the pantheon include offerings of garlands, lighted lamps, incense and vermilion powder. On special occasions, there is an addition of sweetmeats as prasad (food offerings made to god). In temples and elaborate pujas, the offerings mentioned above are paired with coconut, clothing, jewels, perfumes, music, dance, betel, fruit, etc. The offerings are seen as a gift to be enjoyed, of the same kind that one would offer to humans. In this flowers are the food of the spirit, a sign of respect and love. At the time of performing homa (or havana, a form of fire worship) on auspicious occasions like weddings, house-warming, and other worships, the individuals taking part in the worship are also made to wear garlands. This is so because the act of taking part in a religious worship is considered honourable. 

Sweet-scented flowers are more preferred than others for making garlands. In India, the most preferred flowers for garlands are red roses, spider lilies, frangipani, paras, jasmine, and marigolds. However, there is more substance with regard to the use of flowers in a religious context. Particular blossoms are linked to particular deities: for example, a garland made of durva (grass) is preferred for Ganesha (the elephant headed god); for Hanuman (an ardent devotee of Lord Rama), a garland of ankada (crown flower); for Shiva, that of dhatura(moonflower); for goddess Kali, that of red hibiscus, etc. That is so because it is believed that the characteristics of certain flowers are more suited to specific deities. For example, the petals of the red hibiscus resemble the tongue like that goddess Kali put out when she stepped on Shiva. As per Hindu mythology, the lotus has ever been conceived as the symbol of purity and charm; it is considered that within everyone resides the spirit of the sacred lotus flower. Each colour of the lotus is sacred to one aspect of the Hindu trinity: the blush coloured lotus is the flower of sunrise, Brahma’s prayer; the blue is sacred to Vishnu, upholder of the blue noontide universe; the white is the flower of evening, the flower of death and resurrection, the emblem of Siva, destroyer and preserver. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, sits on a lotus throne with a lotus footstool, holding a lotus flower in her hand. Flowers and their symbolism as per the Hindu mythology can become an entire subject in itself! 

Garlands are not only used to decorate gods and individuals but also roads, houses, palaces, and even cities. During auspicious occasions, the frame of the entrance, which marks the threshold of a house, is decorated with torana (garlands made of flowers and leaves) as a symbol of welcome. As per Indian customs, the initiation of a new activity—be it a passage of rite, or acquisition of new possessions such as a vehicle or a home, etc.—is graced with the usage of garlands. On the festival of Dussehra, people use garlands to decorate their tools or vehicle on which they depend for their livelihood, recalling the worship of weapons in the Ramayana. Family members embarking on or returning from long journeys are also bedecked with garlands as a sign of good luck and welcome respectively. Welcoming guests with a high degree of hospitality is ingrained in the Indian culture. Considering that the tradition of welcoming guests is based on the ancient Indian dictum Atithi Devo bhava that translates to “may the guest be a god unto you”; it is only apt that, like the gods, the guests are also welcomed with garlands as a symbol of good will and honour.

The perishable nature of a garland is indicative of the fragility of human sentiments. Nonetheless, despite their short-lived lifespan, garlands remain a medium to express sentiments of purity, honour, goodwill, love, and beauty. In such a large and diverse nation that India is, many differences occur with regard to the use of garlands. Some differences are highly local, whereas others, broadly regional. However, the symbolism imparted by flower garlands in ancient Indian culture holds true even today. 

Buchmann, Stephen. 2016. The Reason for Flowers: Their History, Culture, Biology, and How They Change Our Lives. Reprint edition. New York: Scribner.

Goody, Jack. 1993. The Culture of Flowers. CUP Archive.

Herbert, Eugenia W. 2013. Flora’s Empire: British Gardens in India. Penguin Books Limited.

Rhind, Jennifer Peace. 2013. Fragrance and Wellbeing: Plant Aromatics and Their Influence on the Psyche. 1 edition. London ; Philadelphia: Singing Dragon. Flowers, Jack Goody