"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here"
IX CIRCLES OF HELL is a visionary collaboration crafted by @Alkonost.official and @Wto.extract. This collection draws inspiration from the world famous classic masterpiece, Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy," a literary piece that explores the depths of the afterlife and human morality.
The Divine Comedy: A Literary Odyssey
Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy" stands as a pinnacle of world literature, an epic poem that charts the soul's journey through the realms of the afterlife. This monumental work is divided into three parts: Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise). IX CIRCLES OF HELL focuses exclusively on the first part, Inferno, delving into the darkest recesses of human sin and its consequences.
A Brief Overview of Dante's Inferno:
- The narrative follows Dante, who finds himself lost in a foreboding dark forest, symbolizing a spiritual crisis.
- Guided by the Roman poet Virgil, Dante descends through nine circles of Hell, each representing progressively severe sins and punishments.
- From the outer circle of Limbo to the frozen depths of Treachery, Dante encounters a pantheon of mythological, historical, and contemporary figures.
- This hellish journey serves as an allegory for the human struggle against sin, temptation, and moral decay.
The Olfactory Interpretation
IX CIRCLES OF HELL translates Dante's vivid imagery into a collection of 9 distinct fragrances, each meticulously crafted in correspondence to one of the nine circles of hell depicted in Dante's inferno. Each blend lies an Italian cigar fusion, expertly combining Ligero and Seco tobacco leaves to impart a truly "hellish" strength and complexity.
The Nine Circles: A Fragrant Descent
I. Limbo 臨界 - Limb - Dutch Rhubarb
"I am the first one created for those who have not found their vocation. Wanderers of streets, cities, planets - who did not understand the whole essence of existence. Your age is so meager, gray, not fleeting… And after life, it won't get any easier for you."
In this first circle, the scent of Dutch Rhubarb evokes a bittersweet melancholy, reflecting the state of virtuous non-Christians and unbaptized infants. The tartness of rhubarb mirrors the longing and sadness of those who exist in a state of perpetual unfulfillment.
II. Lust 色欲 - Minos - Lime Lilac
"Touching her trembling lips with hot lips, Seduction with full speeches he answered her pleas... a mighty gaze looked into her eyes! And he burned her in the darkness of the night.."
The intoxicating blend of Lime and Lilac captures the essence of carnal desire. The citrusy bite of lime intertwines with the heady floral notes of lilac, creating a scent as alluring and tempestuous as the violent storm that eternally tosses the lustful.
III. Gluttony 暴食 - Cerber - Caramel Toffee Popcorn
"It is difficult to realize me when all life is in the same key. Bite, chew, swallow, swallow - in your dull contentment."
This sickeningly sweet aroma of Caramel Toffee Popcorn represents the excesses of the gluttons. The cloying sweetness becomes almost nauseating, mirroring the foul-smelling slush in which these sinners are forced to wallow.
IV. Greed 貪婪 - Plutos - Peach, Lime, Guava
"An obsessive, reminiscent of the rattle of a trapped animal, a voice in my head repeating over and over again: "I do not agree", "give me more" not to satisfy It, because you have already booked a place here."
The luscious combination of Peach, Lime, and Guava creates an irresistible fragrance that leaves one always craving more. This addictive scent embodies the insatiable nature of greed, forever pushing and pulling like the eternal struggle of the misers and spendthrifts.
V. Anger 憤怒 - Styx - Honey Sandalwood
"My trace is left firmly in you, a little reflected in the haze of empty eyes. And no matter how much you run, friend, I am in you, and I will stay with you in a place called Hell."
The unexpected pairing of sweet Honey with smoky Sandalwood creates a complex, smoldering scent. It simmers with barely contained rage, much like the wrathful submerged in the swampy waters of the Styx.
VI. Heresy 異端 - Fury - Fruity TieGuanYin (tea)
"It is an inexhaustible source of heresies wandering all over the world. As the need presses, he will definitely penetrate the networks. He will penetrate, fill the space with himself and howl with a smile: "Bli-i-ee" Without knowing a single one of the morals - he preaches each one. Maybe yours?"
This unconventional blend challenges tradition, much like the heretics trapped in their flaming tombs. The familiar comfort of tea is twisted by an unexpected fruitiness, creating a scent that defies expectations and conventional beliefs.
VII. Violence 暴力 - Dis - Bloody Cherry
"A gigantic, diabolical force begins to press from within, penetrates into the skull, squeezes the brain into a vice and knocks out all human beliefs from the flesh, replacing them with false instructions..."
The visceral aroma of Bloody Cherry assaults the senses, its metallic undertones evoking the violence against others, oneself, and God. This fragrance is as relentless and unforgiving as the boiling blood that punishes the violent.
VIII. Fraud 欺詐 - Gerson - Lemon Liqueur
"He manages to go around half the world in the morning and tarnish everything bright in people's eyes, sow doubts in their views and judgments. To break the not yet strong threads connecting the two with each other..."
This deceptively sweet Lemon Liqueur conceals a bitter twist, much like the fraudulent behaviors punished in the eighth circle. The initial zesty sweetness gives way to a complex, almost medicinal undertone, reflecting the multifaceted nature of deceit.
IX. Treachery 背叛 - Cocyte - Lemon Cake
"How do you pave your way to me, what moves your flesh? Obsession to shine at the top, selfishness, weakness? Or maybe wild fear?..."
The seemingly innocent facade of Lemon Cake belies the darkest depths of betrayal. Its cold, sharp citrus notes cut through the sweetness, reminiscent of the frozen lake Cocytus where the worst betrayers are eternally trapped.
A Collector's Triumph
IX CIRCLES OF HELL is more than a mere collection of fragrances. It is a sensory exploration of the human condition, a testament to artistic vision, and a bridge between literature and olfactory art. Each bottle serves as a portal to the depths of Dante's Inferno, allowing the wearer to experience the full spectrum of human morality through scent.
For the discerning collector, this limited edition set promises not only a unique olfactory experience but also high collectible value. Each fragrance is a piece of wearable literature, a conversation starter, and a personal journey into the heart of one of the world's greatest literary works.
Dare you cross the threshold and become the custodian of this gateway to hell? Remember the words etched above Dante's infernal gates:
"Lasciate ogni speranza, voi ch'entrate."
"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."
The choice is yours. Will you embrace the darkness and discover the fragrant depths of your own soul?
