In the history of Chinese literature, the scent of incense is often closely linked with literary creation. Ancient literati composed timeless works amidst the wafting fragrance of incense.
Su Shi（苏轼）, a literary and artistic master of the Northern Song Dynasty, was known for his leisurely and open-minded style. In his "Ode to the Red Cliff（赤壁赋）," he wrote: "The evening breeze brushes the railings, the dew is thick, as if these were not seen on the tops of jade mountains, I would meet them under the moon of the jade palace.（晚风拂槛露华浓，若非群玉山头见，会向瑶台月下逢。）" The "thick dew（露华浓）" here metaphorically refers to the night's fragrance, stirring Su Shi's memories of beautiful times and his admiration for the beauty of nature. In Su Shi's poetry, fragrance often merges with natural landscapes, inspiring his love for life and yearning for freedom.
Li Yu（李煜）, the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty, infused his lyrics with melancholy and sorrow, and fragrance in his works often represents a longing for happier times. In "Beauty Yu（虞美人）," he writes: "When will the spring flowers and autumn moon end? How much of the past do I know? The small building was hit by another east wind last night, unbearable to recall the moonlit homeland.（春花秋月何时了？往事知多少。小楼昨夜又东风，故国不堪回首月明中。）" The scent accompanying the east wind evokes Li Yu's profound reflections on the past, serving as a medium for the emotional outpouring in his lyrics.
Li Qingzhao（李清照）, a female lyricist of the Song Dynasty, was famous for her delicate emotions and affectionate writing. In "Like a Dream（如梦令）," she writes: "Last night the wind was fierce and the rain was light, and the deep sleep did not dispel the remaining wine. I ask the person rolling up the curtain, but he says the crabapple is as usual. Do you know? It should be green and plump, red and lean.（昨夜雨疏风骤，浓睡不消残酒。试问卷帘人，却道海棠依旧。知否？知否？应是绿肥红瘦。）" Here, fragrance becomes a remembrance of the passage of time and cherished memories, as well as reflecting her longing and loss for love.
Incense, as a material medium, can evoke emotions and memories in writers, prompting them to transform their inner feelings into words. Su Shi's open-mindedness, Li Yu's sorrow, and Li Qingzhao's affection were all sublimated through the catalyst of fragrance, becoming treasures in the treasury of Chinese literature. Incense is not only an embellishment of life but also a source of inspiration for literary creation.