Dana Perfumes: Symbole by Dana Parfums c1941

Symbole by Dana, launched in 1941, carried with it a name that was both evocative and meaningful. The word Symbole is the French term for "symbol," pronounced seem-BOH-luh", and it immediately conjures ideas of representation, significance, and deeper meaning. A symbol is something that stands for or represents something else—often abstract and imbued with layers of meaning. By naming the perfume Symbole, Dana infused the fragrance with an aura of mystery and importance, positioning it as not just a scent, but a personal emblem. The word evokes a sense of individuality, as if the perfume would become a signature, a representation of one’s unique identity or femininity. It suggests an invisible yet powerful presence—one that lingers and defines the wearer, much like a symbol does in art, language, or culture.

The perfume's press materials further deepen this sense of symbolism, describing Symbole as “an invisible garden of flowers” that surrounds the wearer with “a tender, fresh and refined note.” This description suggests a scent that is ethereal, delicate, and fresh, yet persistent—just like a symbol that quietly holds significance and yet has a lasting impact. The notion that the fragrance “will soon become your own symbol” evokes a sense of personal connection, as if the perfume will come to define the wearer’s essence, capturing the very spirit of refined femininity. The press materials also claim that Symbole will “bring out the exquisite femininity of all Eves,” tying the fragrance to both timeless beauty and the biblical figure of Eve, symbolizing the origin of all women and the universal qualities of femininity.

Launched in 1941, Symbole arrived at a time when the world was in the midst of World War II. The early 1940s were marked by a sense of tension and uncertainty, but also resilience and elegance. In fashion, the period was defined by practicality due to wartime rationing, but there was still a desire for refinement and grace. Women embraced streamlined, practical styles, such as suits with sharp lines and feminine details. Even with limited resources, women continued to invest in their appearance, using accessories, like perfume, to create a sense of normalcy and beauty in an otherwise chaotic world. A fragrance named Symbole would have appealed to women during this time as an embodiment of personal strength and identity. It offered not just an escape into a fragrant garden of flowers but a symbol of inner grace and resilience—qualities that women of the time could deeply relate to.

In terms of scent, Symbole would likely have been interpreted as fresh, floral, and clean, capturing the delicate yet tenacious nature described in its press materials. A blend of soft florals—perhaps rose, jasmine, and lily of the valley—would have created the "invisible garden" effect, while subtle, powdery, or musky undertones might have added tenacity, making the fragrance both light and enduring. The fragrance’s ability to “surround you throughout the day” suggests a scent that lingers, staying close to the skin without being overpowering. In the context of other fragrances on the market, Symbole would not have been entirely unique, as floral fragrances were quite popular during this period, with many perfumes featuring similar soft, fresh accords. However, the concept of a fragrance as a personal "symbol" was innovative and positioned Symbole as a scent that was not just about the notes, but about a deeper connection with the wearer—making it a fragrance that felt personal, intimate, and memorable, a fragrance that would define the individual woman who wore it.

was available in parfum, cologne (colonia), dusting powder and hair lotion (locion)

In 1965, the perfume was reformulated with modern ingredients and relaunched in new packaging.

So what does it smell like? Symbole by Dana Parfums is classified as a light woody floral fragrance for women. Symbole: a light fragrance that stays with you even if you run very fast. How can you appreciate a fragrance , however wonderful, if it evaporates a few moments after putting it on? Symbole, the new great fragrance from Dana is both light and tenacious. It surrounds you all day long with a tender, fresh note.

Top notes: aldehyde C-10, green notes, French lavender, Paraguayan petitgrain, Italian neroli, linalool, Calabrian bergamot, linalyl acetate, Alpine lily of the valley
Middle notes: Indian tuberose, Comoros ylang ylang, Grasse jasmine, Hedione, Amalfi orange blossom, Grasse rose de mai, Dutch honeysuckle, French carnation, eugenol
Base notes: Tibetan musk, Java vetiver, Mysore sandalwood, Tyrolean oakmoss, Siamese benzoin, Venezuelan tonka bean, coumarin, Abyssinian civet, Florentine orris

Scent Profile:

When first experiencing Symbole by Dana, it opens not with a whisper but a clear, crystalline breath of light—like early morning air drifting through open shutters. The fragrance begins with Aldehyde C-10 (decanal), a sparkling synthetic compound that adds a citrusy radiance and lift, casting a soft halo over the top notes. Its brilliance is quickly entwined with green notes—a dewy snap of crushed leaves and meadow grasses that ground the composition in nature’s fresh vitality.

Next, French lavender, grown in the high-altitude fields of Provence, contributes a silvery herbal edge. Unlike its more camphorous cousins from other regions, French lavender is uniquely refined, lending a quiet aromatic softness that never overwhelms. Paraguayan petitgrain, extracted from the twigs and leaves of the bitter orange tree, adds a cool, green citrus bite, its dryness bridging the gap between floral freshness and resinous calm. The shimmering elegance of Italian neroli, steam-distilled from the bitter orange blossom, carries an innocent, slightly honeyed quality—one that brightens and sweetens the herbal facets just enough. Supporting these is linalool, naturally present in both neroli and lavender, adding a gentle floral smoothness. Calabrian bergamot, sun-drenched and zesty, weaves in a bittersweet sparkle, while linalyl acetate—another key aroma molecule—lends a velvety, pear-like softness that mellows the sharper citrus edges. Just beneath, Alpine lily of the valley emerges like a snowy bellflower, delivering a breath of airy, tender greenness that lingers long after the citrus has faded.

As the heart unfolds, the perfume becomes an opulent but gentle bouquet. Indian tuberose, warm and creamy, rises first—its scent lush and narcotic, rich with buttery white petals. The ylang-ylang from the Comoros Islands, prized for its full-bodied floral-spicy profile, adds banana-like richness and a narcotic, almost solar depth. These two powerhouse florals are tempered by the soft sensuality of Grasse jasmine, known for its unparalleled purity and radiance—its green, indolic facets softened here by Hedione, added during the 1965 reformulation, is a synthetic compound developed to enhance the diffusive, transparent aspects of jasmine. Hedione gives the heart a breathy expansiveness, like light filtering through silk.

Amalfi orange blossom brings a tender brightness, more citrus-laced and less heady than neroli—contributing a bittersweet nuance. Grasse rose de mai, with its plush, honeyed warmth and gentle peppery undertone, unfolds alongside Dutch honeysuckle, which offers a nectar-like sweetness with subtle fruity hues. A touch of French carnation, spiked with eugenol, imparts a spicy clove-like quality that pricks through the sweetness, adding a vintage sophistication and tension. This central accord is rich but never heavy, airy but never flat—always dancing between freshness and floral warmth.

As the fragrance settles into its base, Symbole reveals the architecture of its enduring nature. Tibetan musk, evocative of animal warmth and skin, lies at the heart of this drydown—likely recreated synthetically, but modeled on the refined, slightly powdery warmth characteristic of Himalayan deer musk. The Java vetiver introduces a dry, earthy backbone, more bitter and root-like than its Haitian counterpart, creating a textured contrast to the sweetness above. Mysore sandalwood, now rare and regulated, contributes its signature milky-woody creaminess; its richness in santalols renders it warm, soft, and sacred—an unparalleled anchor to the perfume.

Tyrolean oakmoss, harvested from forests in the Alpine region, brings a cool, forested dampness with a whisper of lichen and old bark—tempering the sweet and floral aspects of the heart with quiet austerity. Siamese benzoin, resinous and vanilla-amber in tone, smooths the composition into a golden warmth, complemented by Venezuelan tonka bean—sweet, nutty, and hay-like. The tonka is reinforced by coumarin, both a natural component of tonka and an isolated aroma molecule, which amplifies that sweet, slightly smoky almond facet. A delicate thread of Abyssinian civet, animalic and tenacious, brings warmth and sensuality, while Florentine orris, derived from aged iris rhizomes, softens everything with a buttery, powdery veil. Its rare, suede-like elegance provides the final note of poise—polished, noble, and profoundly feminine.