"Cigalia" by Roger et Gallet was launched in 1910, a period that coincided with the height of the Art Nouveau movement. This era, spanning roughly from 1890 to 1910, was characterized by its emphasis on natural forms, intricate lines, and organic motifs. Insects, particularly those with intricate and delicate forms like cicadas, became popular symbols and design elements in various forms of art, jewelry, and fashion. The appreciation of nature's elegance and complexity resonated deeply with the cultural and artistic sensibilities of the time.
The name "Cigalia" is derived from the word "cigale," which means "cicada" in French. Cicadas are known for their distinctive life cycle and the loud, rhythmic songs produced by the males to attract females. These insects are particularly famous for emerging en masse after spending years underground as nymphs, a phenomenon that has captured human fascination for centuries. Their emergence is often associated with the arrival of summer, symbolizing renewal and the passage of time.
The sound cicadas make is a high-pitched, continuous buzz, produced by the rapid buckling of tymbals, a part of their exoskeleton. This sound is synonymous with the heat of summer and the fullness of nature's bloom. Cicadas typically emerge during the warmer months, their life cycles synchronized with the seasons to maximize the chances of survival for their offspring.
In cultural symbolism, cicadas often represent longevity, immortality, and rebirth due to their unique life cycle. In various traditions, they are seen as harbingers of change and transformation, making "Cigalia" a name imbued with rich and evocative meanings. For a perfume, this name suggests a sense of timelessness, renewal, and the beauty of nature, qualities that would have been appealing to the sophisticated women of the Belle Époque.
