Ancient Egyptians believed sycamore trees grew on the border between the land of the living and the realm of the dead. Greek myths tell of humans transformed into trees. In Japan, pine trees represent longevity (even immortality) but cherry trees’ fleeting blossoms are a reminder that life is brief. Where I live, several Northwest Coast Indian tribes carve clan histories into revered cedar wood, creating large totem poles and house posts. I’ve always loved the story of Siddhartha Gautama reaching enlightenment (and becoming the Buddha) while meditating in the shade of the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya in India.

Trees are interesting as cultural and religious symbols, but they’re also beautiful plants whose bark, wood, roots, resins, leaves and fruit make perfumes smell “divine.” Infusion Organique Buddha’s Fig Eau de Parfum was inspired by a particular Bodhi tree — the ancient Sri Maha Bodhi located in Sri Lanka.

Buddha’s Fig contains certified organic fig extract, rose geranium, lemongrass oil, hyacinth, iris, wood, and amber. Buddha’s Fig begins with notes of fig leaf and “green”/barely opened hyacinth flowers...

I think that monogamy is artificial. I do not think it’s something that comes naturally to us.

Yep, that's Tom Ford*, source of all wisdom. Whether it is true for human relationships is outside of our subject matter, but I can certainly relate when it comes to fragrance. I already have a holy grail fig scent, Diptyque Philosykos, and I must talk about it more than I realize because several people mentioned in the comments recently that they thought of it as my signature fragrance. But the road of monogamy is long and hard, and when a new fig fragrance is launched, you can bet I want to try it. If it's reasonably priced, all the better. Pacifica's new Mediterranean Fig caught my eye right away. The notes include sweet fig, palm, cyclamen and sandalwood, and it runs just $19.95 for 36 ml...

Last year, former actress and model Diana Barton introduced Diana B., a line of body lotions, bath gels, candles and scrubs that claimed to revolutionize skincare. The rather high price point ($28 - $45) initially made me dismiss the line as yet another instance of overhyped, celebrity-endorsed nonsense, but a rave from a friend convinced me to pick up the scrub and give it a try; I was soon kicking myself for not having given the products a chance before.

The scrub is remarkable, really unlike any I have used before...

I first smelled Diptyque's Figuier on a cold grey October afternoon at a friend's weekend home, as we prepared tea and sat down for a major catch up session. I left feeling cheered by not only the conversation, but also by the lovely warm scent that had permeated the living room by the time I left.

Warmth could be seen as a contradiction in this scented candle that is described by Diptyque as coming "from the crushed leaves of the fig tree....slightly fruity, but mostly green", but nonetheless, it is there. The same perfume essence that is used in the beloved Philosykos scent is used in this candle and it has strong notes of fig leaf sap, but I did not detect any of the cedar or musk notes found in Philosykos — this is a fairly monochromatic scent. It is touted as one of the top sellers of Diptyque's well known candle line and I'm not surprised, as the green, slightly woody, sappy warmth is an easy going addition to any atmosphere, pleasing to both men and women...

The idea of toasted nuts over earthy vetiver immediately called to mind Hermès Vetiver Tonka, but they are nothing alike. Chestnut & Vetiver is a simpler and fresher fragrance, without the deep rich notes of the Hermès...

Eau de Figuier is a relatively simple rendition of fig. It doesn't push the boundaries of modern perfumery, and it isn't going to challenge your assumptions about what can be done with a fig fragrance or anything like that — it's just a really nice fig...

Fico di Amalfi is the latest release from Acqua di Parma's Blu Mediterraneo line. The fragrance features notes of tangerine, bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, cedar, fig nectar, pink pepper, jasmine, fig wood, musk and cedar.

Fico di Amalfi starts with dry, very tart citrus. The fig comes on as the citrus settles, but it is subtle, considerably more so than in my all time favorite of favorites (in the fig category, that is), Diptyque Philosykos. As in Philosykos, the fig is dry and woody, and does not have a particularly foody feel. Fico di Amalfi is a bit less green, and has a nice kick of pink pepper over the woody base...

Eau des Garrigues starts with fig and citrus. The fig is strong in the top notes, but the sweetness is minimal at most: it does smell more like fig leaves than the fruit...

Body Time Green Fig Oil: VERY green, and VERY figgy. Almost too much of a good thing for me, but it is a great layering scent. Very reasonably priced.

Carthusia Io Capri: A fig & tea scent, but the fig is very subdued, and it is very soapy on the dry down. Not my favorite...

As a followup to yesterday's post about fig fragrances, I'd like to blather on about Diptyque Philosykos, one of my favorite perfumes and certainly a contender for inclusion in my personal desert island Top 10. Created by Olivia Giacobetti and released in 1996, Philosykos is fig with green notes and a woody-earthy base. It smells like the whole fig grove, including the trees and the warm earth, and while the fig note itself is sweet and creamy, the sweetness is tempered by other notes and is never overwhelming.

Philosykos was included in one of the first sample orders I made after becoming seriously interested in perfume, and I pretty much hated it at first sniff...