Launched in 1974, Frankincense and Myrrh by Jovan was a fragrance designed to evoke the ancient and the sacred, drawing inspiration from two of the most storied and revered resins in human history. The name itself conjures images of ancient rituals, desert caravans carrying precious cargo, and the heady aroma of sacred incense curling through the air of temples and palaces. These resins—frankincense and myrrh—have been treasured for millennia for their ceremonial, medicinal, and aromatic properties. The word frankincense originates from the Old French franc encens, meaning "high-quality incense," while myrrh comes from the Semitic root mrr, meaning "bitter," reflecting its resinous, slightly smoky depth. Both have roots in the ancient world, particularly in regions such as Oman, Yemen, Somalia, and Ethiopia, where they were once more valuable than gold.
By choosing this name, Jovan tapped into a sense of history, mysticism, and sensuality, offering a fragrance that was not merely a perfume but an experience—one that transported the wearer to an era of opulence and reverence. The imagery associated with frankincense and myrrh is deeply evocative: the flickering glow of candlelit altars, the air thick with the scent of burning resins, the grandeur of lost empires, and the whispered incantations of ancient priests. There is a richness to these materials, an association with the divine, with spirituality, with luxury. In perfumery, their warm, balsamic, and slightly spicy nature creates a lingering, enveloping aura that feels both exotic and deeply comforting.
