Hall of Fragrance

The Hall of Fragrance is modelled in the image of an imperial garden from ancient China, where traditional Chinese pavilions hid amongst blooming shrubs and Chinese pine trees. It serves as an oasis of calm not only for the departed but also those who wish to gather to commemorate them.

Several details come together to create this setting. The central chandelier, in particular, resembles the inverted gabled roof of a traditional Chinese pavilion, with its thread-like crystals mirroring the roof’s ribbed look. It illuminates a bed of lotus flowers in various states of bloom - a celebration of personal growth and the completion of a soul’s journey in his or her life once lived.

The facade of each niche is also inset with a peony statuette. Regarded as the ‘King of Flowers’, the peony is an unparalleled icon of prosperity, honour and wealth throughout Chinese culture. Showcased in full bloom against the rough-hewn interior of a rock, it signifies that a soul has fulfiled his or her ultimate potential in life on Earth.

The symbolism culminates in a reimagination of a traditional Chinese pavilion inside each niche. A sanctuary reserved for the afterlife in the truest sense, it brims with vivid details, complete with curtains that frame a water-coloured backdrop of rolling foothills in autumn and a serene lake.