A Philosophical Analysis Of “Fragrance” In A Dream Of Red Mansions

The fragrance in A Dream of Red Mansions has rich implications.There are extensive and profound connections between the fragrance and the thing,the spirits,the heaven,the man.In the practice of people’s using of fragrance,it has realized the sublimation from physical fragrance to metaphysical spiritual fragrance.Fragrance corresponds with truth,goodness and beauty,and truth,goodness as well as beauty are contained in the fragrance.It provides a unique approach to know the world and know the self.Objects have different kinds of fragrance;thus,people can distinguish them by their fragrance.People have different preferences for fragrance,so we can know their spiritual purport by their appreciation of fragrance.In people’s pursuit of meaning,on the one hand,the fragrance of incense can help people to communicate their spiritual world with the spirits’;on the other hand,people can cultivate their virtues,make self-development and self-achievement,and finally achieve harmony with the heaven in spiritual spheres by fragrance.The world is full of the original desire of life,which tends to pollute people’s mind.Fragrance,however,contains the care for alive.If we regard it as a spiritual pursuit,it can keep us from the desire of life and unfold people’s life freely with special fragrance and beauty of life.