Lucky Charms
Perhaps it was when contemplating the heavens that human beings first sensed mystical forces above them. Beneath their feet, the ground too held secret places inhabited by invisible beings. Countless civilizations have spoken of such mysteries in the form of tales, handing them down through their myths, rites and festivals. A horseshoe or a dream catcher, a four-leaf clover or a holly branch, a piece of coral, a beetle, a ladybird or a swallow, a crane, tigers’ teeth, a miniature elephant or a Japanese maneki-neko cat – every culture in the world has dreamed of taming what it cannot control. And from this universal story was born the lucky charm. This in-depth exploration of the world of lucky charms was the starting point for the collaboration between diptyque and artist Olaf Hajek, resulting in a collection celebrating the festivals that mark the end of a year.
Choose a message
Three lights
For a whole year of happiness
Protection
Scented candle
If you’re born under a lucky star, that’s already a guarantee. But in former days, as a precaution, people would fasten a protective object to their door to ward off evil spirits while allowing health and prosperity across the threshold. To defend the body, we borrow strength from the animal kingdom: The claws or teeth of tigers, worn as a pendant, prevent accidents and illness because they are imbued with a tiger’s vigour and positive energy. When the tiger is associated with the moon, it devours the harmful powers of winter to allow the light to be reborn. The scarab beetle, once sculpted in green jasper, represents immortality and keeps death away. And coral worn in beads shelters the wearer from spells and dangers. The color green, associated with vegetation, promises renewal and symbolizes hope. It is a sign of spiritual regeneration, meaning both body and spirit will be well protected.
PROTECTIVE PINE
At the dawn of the New Year, the Japanese place two small pines – a genuine tree of life – on the doorstep of their house to ensure that it remains a happy and prosperous home. These conifers, which stay green even in deepest winter, are also a refuge for divinities. Pines, cedar trees and fir trees are linked with a long life and unbroken happiness. diptyque’s Protective Pine candle combines scents of Siberian fir, balsam fir and cedar, plus aromatic notes of basil and sage – both of them beneficial herbs – to wrap its protective aura around the people who light it.
Harmony
Scented candle
During the Middle Ages, people in the West believed that the harmony of the universe depended on the influence of each planet in connection with the corresponding elements, colors, metals, stones, animals and fragrances. To create a lucky charm, one would select the metal and stone that matched the relevant planet, then add the corresponding animal, fragrant plants and corresponding color. Birds were symbols of harmony: the swallow was especially popular because it was said to carry messages of love and serenity in its beak. In China, the crane played the same role. Iron is an interesting metal: sailors in bygone days used to attach a horseshoe to the top of the mast as this was believed to pacify storms. Because of its perceived medicinal qualities, holly was put up inside a home just before the first day of the year in the hope of enjoying good health and happiness throughout the year. The color blue, being the color of the sky, signifies wisdom, purity of feelings and fidelity – an excellent way to ensure harmonious times.
BLISSFUL AMBER
In Persian poetry, musk is the perfume of Paradise and is synonymous with the beauty of a world found in our dreams. When blended with amber, the woody notes evoke the captivating world of the thousand and one nights. In Europe during the Middle Ages, people inhaled its fragrance to refresh themselves. Adding a hint of geranium and lavender that has relaxing properties, diptyque’s Blissful Amber candle appeals to body and soul with its harmonious fragrance.
Luck
Scented candle
In the bygone days of ancient Rome, the goddess Fortuna was often depicted with a wheel, symbolizing luck. She was a capricious deity, feared because she was equally capable of making your fortune or breaking it. Even today, when appealing for good luck, we cross fingers on both hands. In Asia, it is the elephant that brings success in all we undertake. It is said that every morning, the elephant salutes the sun with its trunk. Every evening it salutes the moon, to ensure that the stars will look favourably upon humans. A cat beckoning people in with its paw , a four-leaf clover or a golden daffodil – these are all harbingers of wealth. And so as to be ready to seize the opportunity, the color red brings the necessary good energy, giving us extra vigour and boosting our life force.
LUCKY FLOWERS
Carefully crushing rose petals between their fingers and listening to the rustling sound, the soothsayers of antiquity predicted luck, love or success to those who consulted them. In the Middle East, the smoke of cloves placed on a small stove was said to perfume and purify a house. In the South of France, family and friends threw aniseed at newlyweds to wish them prosperity. These were just three ways of attracting luck. Rose, cloves and aniseed are also the principal notes in our Lucky Flowers candle, setting a bright, hopeful tone for ringing out the old year and ringing in the new.
Discover the collection
Carousel
190g candle
Glass Candle Holder
Nivyne Glass Candle holder
Candle
Amber 1,5kg
Advent
Calendar
Snow
Globe
Set of
Four Do Son Fragrance Gestures
Protective Pine
Interior scent 150ml
Sets of 12 Pine
Scented Candles
Gripoix
lid
The world of Olaf Hajek is filled with encounters in which ancient myths, legends and tales cross paths. Inspired by universal symbols relating to epic sagas and religious traditions that have given birth to the motifs and folklore of a variety of cultures, Olaf Hajek has created his own strange, mysterious universe. Warm, lively colours, the song of birds and the rustle of luxuriant nature respond to each other, open to the full breadth of the imagination. As such, his work swings between realism and naïve art, presenting unexpected visual combinations.
For the end-of-year collection conceived by diptyque, Olaf Hajek invented “arbres à voeux” – “wish trees”, appropriating those sacred places where people deposit their wishes and turning them into locations where diptyque lucky charms may be hung. Hajek borrows from popular traditions such as ladybirds, horseshoes, pieces of coral, four-leaf clovers, holly or shooting stars – playing, in each of his creations, with their benign powers. Creations that invite us too to cross our fingers and explore our heart line for a good end to the year. This original and unique collaboration between diptyque and Olaf Hajek is an invitation to lose yourself in dreams and wonderment.
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