TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Fogliazza, Silvia
T1  -  The fragrance of the “sacred”: scents and sensory perceptions between ancient rituals and medicine
PY  -  2025
Y1  -  2025-04-01
DO  -  10.1727/4505.45062
JO  -  Rivista di Neurologia
JA  -  Riv Neurol
VL  -  2
IS  -  2
SP  -  89
EP  -  93
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  3035-3599
Y2  -  2026/05/19
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1727/4505.45062
N2  -  Summary. In the ancient Mediterranean, fragrance played a central role in rituals, helping to define sacred space and make the presence of supernatural forces tangible. Incense, ointments, and aromatic plants not only accompanied liturgical gestures but also created a multisensory experience that deeply engaged participants, strengthening communal cohesion. Scent was a privileged means of communication with the “divine”: odors and essences evoked and invoked supernatural presence, shaping both the ritual and the sacred space. Through David Howes’ concept of “cultural synesthesia”, we can understand how olfactory perception in rituals was influenced by social and cultural contexts. Moreover, as evidenced by discoveries at San Casciano, in Italic sanctuaries the ritual dimension intertwined with medical practice: aromatic herbs, balms, and thermal waters were used for physical healing. This intersection between religion and medicine shows that fragrance was not only a means of contact with the “divine” but also a therapeutic tool. Analyzing its role in ancient rituals allows us to highlight these connections and offer insights that resonate with contemporary perspectives on the use of smell in medicine.
ER  -