1. Historical Origins

As the "finest of all fragrances," agarwood boasts a history that can be traced back thousands of years, carrying profound cultural significance and symbolic meaning.

l Early Discovery:

Agarwood has been used in China for over two thousand years. During the pre-Qin period, agarwood from border regions and overseas had not yet been widely introduced to the mainland, where herbal fragrances dominated. It was not until the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, with the opening of the Silk Road, that agarwood began to flow into the mainland in large quantities, becoming an exclusive luxury for the imperial court and nobility.

l Origin of the Name:

Agarwood derives its name from its characteristic of being "fragrant and sinking in water." When an agarwood tree is injured by lightning strikes, insect infestations, wind damage, or other causes, it secretes resin to protect the wounded area. Over decades or even centuries of maturation, this process eventually forms the precious substance known as agarwood.

2. 文化价值Culture & Meaning

l Sacred Symbol in Religion

In Buddhism, agarwood is revered as the "fragrance of enlightenment" and serves as a premium offering in Buddhist rituals. It is believed to possess the miraculous power of awakening wisdom and dispelling worldly afflictions. Taoism also highly values agarwood, considering it a medium for connecting with the divine, aiding in alchemical practices, and nurturing spiritual cultivation.

l Symbol of Status and Prestige

Due to its rarity and high value, owning and using high-quality agarwood has long symbolized the identity, wealth, and status of royalty, nobility, high-ranking officials, and the affluent elite. As early as the Song Dynasty, there was a saying that "a single piece is worth ten thousand coins," while top-grade Kynam (Kyara) agarwood was described as "an inch of agarwood, an inch of gold."

l Medicinal Value and Efficacy

Agarwood holds a significant place in traditional medicine. The Compendium of Materia Medica records its properties for promoting qi circulation, relieving pain, warming the middle body, alleviating vomiting, and calming asthma by regulating qi. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed its diverse biological activities, including sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular-protective effects.

l Modern Development and Revival

In contemporary times, agarwood culture is experiencing a revival. It is both a collectible in auctions, where its price per gram surpasses that of gold, and a symbol of Eastern aesthetics in cultural products like the Palace Museum's agarwood bracelets. With advancements in artificial inoculation techniques, agarwood has transitioned from an "exorbitantly priced treasure" into everyday life, contributing to the revival of incense culture.

With its characteristic of "decades to form, centuries to mature," agarwood stands as a witness to the reverence Chinese civilization holds for time and nature. It is not merely a spice but a cultural epic, narrated through fragrance.