Blogs

WF Do series, we document our journey: turning ancient philosophies that stir the soul and flashes of inspiration into tangible, evocative handcrafts imbued with Eastern artistry.

Inspiration is priceless, yet WF pays its deepest tribute to Eastern healing aesthetics through Embodied Creation - where wisdom crystallizes into sacred vessels, and resonance transforms into timeless symbols.

The Goose Pear Bedchamber Incense is a renowned blended fragrance formula from ancient China. Legend has it that it was jointly developed by Li Yu (937-978), the last ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and his empress, Zhou Ehuang (Zhou Empress). Li Yu had a deep passion for the art of incense and often collaborated with court perfumers to refine blending techniques. Zhou Ehuang, well-versed in music, calligraphy, and painting, also possessed extensive knowledge of spices. Together, they created this delicate, sweet, and long-lasting bedchamber incense, using quince (goose pear, an aromatic fruit) as the base and blending it with precious ingredients such as agarwood and sandalwood. This fragrance was exclusively used in their private chambers.

This fragrance originated during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, a time when the Southern Tang court culture epitomized elegance and refinement. The art of incense was held in high regard, alongside poetry and music. Li Yu’s verses often alluded to his pursuit of aesthetic living, with lines such as “Silk quilts could not ward off the predawn chill” and “In the deeply secluded painted hall, candles brightened as the fragrance dimmed.” The Goose Pear Bedchamber Incense embodies this luxurious and refined lifestyle - it was not only used to eliminate unpleasant odors and promote relaxation and sleep but also served as a symbol of romantic intimacy.

The formula for “Li Yu’s Bedchamber Incense” was documented in the Manual of Fragrance (Xiang Pu《香谱》) by Hong Chu during the Song Dynasty, which described the traditional method of steeping agarwood in quince juice. Similarly, Zhou Jiazhou’s Compendium of Incense (Xiang Sheng《香乘》) from the Ming Dynasty recorded this method and introduced variations, such as the addition of musk and rosewater. These historical accounts affirm the fragrance’s enduring status as a classic in the history of incense art.

When worn as a blended incense bead bracelet, it whispers a subtle fragrance that sways with every movement—as if unveiling a dreamy vision of silken drapes and glowing candles, reminiscent of a romantic dream from a thousand years ago.

With the strength of Hetian jade embracing the softness of blended incense beads - Half is the cool, enduring soul of ancient mountains preserved in jade; Half is the warm, lingering spirit of precious herbs and resins infused within fragrance.

Jade forms the bone, incense becomes the pulse - A union of strength and softness, much like the dual forces of Taiji, flow gracefully around the wrist, embodying the aesthetic balance of Eastern philosophy.

• Hetian Jade: The essence of the earth, symbolizing resilience, eternity, and noble purity. Its ice-like hue and cool touch represent rationality and order.
• Blended Incense Beads: The spirit of a hundred herbs, fusing sandalwood, agarwood, quince, and other precious spices. They release a subtle fragrance influenced by body warmth, evoking fluid emotion and vitality.

Jade embedded within fragrance resembles the moon shining through pine forests; Incense encircling jade is like mist caressing steadfast stone.

As you wear it, the silence of jade intertwines with the breath of fragrance, reminding us that the greatest beauty in the world lies in the balance of strength and softness, and the harmony between the tangible and the intangible.