title: Do Scents evoke the Same Feelings Across Cultures?

Abstract

Scent has been a part of human civilization since the beginning of time. Throughout history, the possession of scent, in the forms of perfumes and incense, had been the mark of distinction, wealth, and affluence. Among the royal gifts in Ancient Egypt were incense and perfumes, the wealthy Romans were famous for perfumed bathwater, the Chinese had their scented joss sticks and red paper, while the Indians prized their sandalwood incense and jasmine flowers. In the religious circles, scented oils of varying origins are used during rites and for anointing the faithful. As time passed, the methods of dispensing scents have also been refined, and scents of every possible combination have been captured, bottled, and used at various occasions by different cultures.