![Oliverfang]()
Oliverfang
3
A wonderful masterpiece reminding me the warm Christmas last year
The inspiration for this perfume begins with Christmas. However, unlike many other brands that stick to traditional holiday marketing, this fragrance is rooted in the Bible and religious themes. The perfumer drew inspiration from the book of Exodus, understanding how Moses's unwavering faith led her to want to express a commitment to belief. Regardless of the ups and downs of life, we all strive to make the best of our lives, searching for that promised land of "flowing with milk and honey," like Canaan.
The perfume accurately portrays its Middle Eastern origins with a captivating blend of spicy notes, along with elements like papyrus and myrrh, which create an enveloping sensation reminiscent of a desert breeze. However, these are merely the backdrop or distant scenery. The star of the show, symbolizing the promised land of "Canaan," is the scent of incense-infused dates, accompanied by the sweet, rich aroma of beeswax, and a subtle, slightly animalic milkiness. Dates have always been a favorite fragrance ingredient of mine, from the subtly delicate yet beloved Bvlgari's Selima to Zoologist's Camel, with its pronounced animalic notes, all the way to Auphorie's 香妃 Oudiparxan, which I've been curious about but hadn't had the chance to try until now. Santa Tierra's completeness and its exceptional longevity and sillage as an Extrait de Parfum have indeed satisfied my expectations and earned it a place in my Middle Eastern fragrance collection.
However, different from the perfumer's perspective, my interpretation still begins with Christmas. In the book of Matthew, chapters 2:1-12, it is written that the Magi from the East followed a great star in the direction of Bethlehem to worship the birth of Jesus Christ. The gifts they brought with them were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
With this story in mind, coupled with the sensation of a desert night that I experienced when I first smelled this fragrance, I asked Archie during the live broadcast if frankincense had been added to the scent. She openly acknowledged its presence, although it was not listed on the fragrance notes. Milk, often referred to as the "white blood," has been cherished as a precious natural beverage throughout history. The depiction of the promised land "flowing with milk and honey" during the description of the Canaan as an enchanting realm further affirms this.
Additionally, the inclusion of olive (oil), known as the "liquid gold," in Santa Tierra indeed covers the three gifts presented by the Magi. Interestingly, the Magi have replaced Santa Claus's role in Spain and Latin America, and in Mexico, the visit of the Magi is celebrated on January 6th. Perhaps this resonance born from my personal understanding and the fragrance itself has made me particularly fond of Santa Tierra.
