Deus ex Petra 21 - The scent of divine revelation

Sometimes, perfume does not come from flowers, but from stone. Not from the inspiration of sweet and fresh scents, but from the warm revelation of divinity.

Deus ex Petra 21 is one of them — a flame rising from stone, a scent that no longer hides, but manifests itself olfactorily.

Since 2005, Olivier Durbano has been writing the most beautiful fragrant poems inspired by the legends and symbolism of stones, those mysterious elements that have accompanied us since the beginning of time and whose value we are not always fully aware of. His perfumes are pure symbolism transposed into olfactory essence, like the divine music of river stones or the striking brilliance of diamonds perfectly carved by invisible hands.

In 2025, Olivier Durbano continues his poetry dedicated to stones and light with this creation. Each of his perfumes is a mineral poem, a wordless prayer written on the stave of time.

Deus ex Petra 21 is a fragrance of fire and tranquillity, of the listening soul.

In Latin, "Deus" means "god" and "Petra" means "stone." Together, they evoke divine revelation, a light that bursts forth from silence, from what is apparently inert. We are no longer talking about a god descending from the heavens, as in ancient tragedies, but about the divine awakening from within matter, like a spark that gives voice to silent moments.

The number 21 is not random either — in the Tarot, it is the Arcana of the World, the symbol of fulfillment, of the circle closing and the return to Unity. Three of seven: the trinity in its fullness. Three beats that resound. Three breaths through which light is felt.

The fragrance opens like a silent liturgy: absolute incense and cloves ignite the air, and the first notes rise like steam timidly seeking the sky. It is a lively, clear incense that does not weigh you down, but purifies you. From the middle rise sage, immortelle, and fig—a warm, sunny, vegetal heart with a bittersweet trace. Then everything descends into depth: vetiver, balsamic pine, amber, musk. The fragrance settles on the skin like a warm touch of divinity.

It is a peaceful experience. The perfume does not seduce you, but illuminates you from within. As it unfolds, you feel that matter is transforming into spirit, that the stone is beginning to open up to the world. It is a calm but intense presence that reminds you of the verse from the Gospel of Luke: "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Olivier Durbano seems to be saying: God does not come from elsewhere—He is already here, in everything that exists, in stone, in air, in flesh, in light.

In a world that is constantly chasing the future, Deus ex Petra 21 is a spiritual act. An invitation to listen, to feel. A fragrance that is worn like meditation: on quiet mornings, on slow evenings, in moments when you want to return to yourself. It is a moment of tranquility in which you discover that the divine does not need to be sought—it already exists, in everything you are and everything that surrounds you.

I wanted to find out more about how this creation came about, so I spoke to Olivier Durbano, who happily shared with me his passion for the art of perfumery and the symbolism of stones:

1. What was the initial inspiration for Deus ex Petra 21, and how did this fragrance come about?

Of an obvious and present time, 'the right time', it is both very intimate and must be delivered by the perfume. A kind of offering, sincere, powerful, that expects nothing, reveals and offers itself to those who smell, feel. 

2. How did your passion for stones begin? 

From my early childhood, or sometimes, a stone took me to another world. The stones have always moved me. I simply followed the path from stone to stone...

3. When did you realize that stones, poetry, and perfumery could speak a common language?

By starting to create stone jewelry, unique pieces, at the beginning of my architecture studies, all these stones coming from different times and places, and their spiritual powers, evoked smells for me. It is from there that the evidence to create perfumes was born. 

4. Your lyrics have a unique depth and symbolism. What inspires you?

Inspiration is like a feather that descends into the mind. Finally, I don’t know, but I listen with great attention and respect to messages, signs... and I try to be faithful to them, to serve them.

5. Incense is a central presence in Deus ex Petra 21. What does this resin mean to you and how does it relate to the theme of stone and the sacred?

Incense is as mysterious as stones. since my childhood, their smells carry something mineral, but well beyond, no doubt, they carry with the intentions, their power and mystery...

6. To what extent do you consider perfume to be a vehicle for spiritual or meditative experiences?

For me, it’s certain, as personal experience. Afterwards, we cannot make it an absolute truth; it depends on each being and its state of being.

7. How do you choose the notes of a perfume to convey the deepest possible message?

From the initial inspiration, a whole work of synchronicity, reading, and reflection that leads to a certain number of raw materials is born. This is how it unfolds with each perfume creation. It is then, with these raw materials, to get closer to the vibration closest to inspiration and intention.