Chinese Weeping Cypress-Sustainable
Chinese Weeping Cypress-Cupressus funebris. Vietnam. Sustainably sourced.
Chinese weeping Cypress is a fresh-ground aromatic powder with lovely notes of precious wood and Camphor. When burned, it emits a sensuous, soft, old-wood aroma with beautiful camphoraceous notes. I find the scent very soothing, grounding and uplifting. It clears, calms and sharpens my mind.
$7.00 - $274.00
This species grows in Vietnam and Southern China, where it is a valuable, traditional incense used to cleanse spaces, summon and communicate with ancestors and spirits at graves, temples and in the home.
Cypress-Death and the Afterlife
It is interesting to note that Cupressus Funebris is not only called Chinese weeping Cypress but also Mourning Cypress and Funerary Cypress, which is indicated by its Latin name Funebris, which means "Of funerals" or funereal. Weeping does not refer to its physical form like our Weeping Willows, but to its traditional use which is associated with death and mourning.
Cypress trees are historically and universally associated with death and the afterlife. Even today, they are planted in both Jewish and Muslim cemeteries.
The populations of this tree in China and Vietnam are dwindling at an alarming rate from overharvesting and loss of natural habitat.
My supplier tells me that this material is sourced from driftwood, which means it is relatively sustainable and does not burden the already stressed species.
Dan