Catching the scent of blooming flowers in snow — knowing within the snow that spring's arriving.
It is not the straightforward fragrance of plum blossoms brushing your nose, but rather, in the coolness of borneol camphor, the allure of musk, the depth of agarwood, the warmth of sandalwood, the brightness of clove bark, and the restraint of charcoal from cedarwood — finding that subtle Eastern beauty of understatement and the elegant balance of all things.
Fragrance notes:
Snowy Spring Herald — pure, subtle, and quietly moving with a chilling elegance that calms the mind.
The top note presents a gently sweet, sour plum-like aroma from clove and white plum flesh — delicate, warm, and refined. As it settles, the middle note brings a hint of cool, watery freshness from borneol, breaking through winter's stillness. The base is carried by agarwood, sandalwood, and cedar charcoal — a warm, woody embrace that leads one toward tranquility and peace, as if envisioning a family gathered warmly around a crackling fire.
The lingering fragrance paints a scene of spring snow drifting among blooming plum trees — like ten thousand plum trees bursting into blossom amid the snow, bringing tidings of spring.
Aromatherapeutic Benefits:
Clears heat and removes toxins, nourishes yin and reduces fire, supplements qi and harmonizes the middle burner, warms the stomach and dispels cold. Inhaling its aroma refreshes the mind, calms the heart, and soothes physical and mental exhaustion.
❄️ Story of the Incense Formula:
Snowy Spring Herald is an incense formula that took the scholar Su Shi (Su Dongpo) seven years to perfect. In the early spring of the fifth year of the Yuanyou era of Emperor Zhezong of the Song Dynasty, a spring snow began to fall profusely over Hangzhou. Su Shi slowly paced into his courtyard, gazing intently for a long time at the plum trees, their branches now covered in snow.
He then called for his beloved concubine, Zhaoyun, and a maidservant. From an antique shelf, he retrieved an exquisite brocade box, took out a white jade bowl, and handed it to Zhaoyun. He earnestly instructed her to take advantage of the heavy spring snow and collect the snow from the very center of the plum blossoms. He emphasized that while gathering the snow, one must be mindful of the love between heaven, earth, and the plum blossoms, and must abandon all stray thoughts. Using a soft brush to gently sweep the snow, she must take care not to damage the flowers.
Su Shi then asked his young page to bring out the prepared aromatic ingredients from the incense cellar and weigh them one by one according to his formula. In truth, he had already prepared these aromatics before the New Year but had never been able to realize his vision. This heavy snowfall felt like the heavens themselves had sensed his anticipation.
When Zhaoyun and the maidservant returned with the collected snow, part of it had already melted in the bowl. The snowmelt infused with pollen shimmered with a faint, crystalline luster and emitted the subtle, secluded fragrance of plum blossoms.
Su Shi spread a layer of the prepared aromatics onto an incense mixing tray. Using a bristle brush, he sprinkled a layer of the "Plum Soul and Snow Spirit" floral dew from the jade bowl over them. He then added another layer of aromatics and another sprinkling of floral dew. After repeating this process until the aromatics were thoroughly moistened, he began blending the incense.
By the time the incense was fully mixed, it was already noon. Su Shi took the blended incense powder, formed it into a seal-incense mold, and lit it. The dense, swirling fragrance was as if ten thousand plum trees were simultaneously releasing their scent. Su Shi remarked to himself that after resting for a hundred days of cellaring, its aroma would become even deeper and more enduring.
