Eau de Parfum
Created in 2013

Bitter Rose, Broken Spear Ds&durga

Unisex
Eau de Parfum
Year: 2013
Moderate
Sillage
Good
Longevity
Fall
Best Season
Evening
Best For

Fragrance Story

Bitter Rose, Broken Spear by DS&Durga is a Woody Aromatic fragrance for women and men. Bitter Rose, Broken Spear was launched in 2013. The nose behind this fragrance is David Seth Moltz. Top notes are Ember, Thyme and Cubeb or Tailed pepper; middle notes are Rose, Thistle and Nutmeg; base notes are Hot iron, Larch and Amber.

Composition Profile

woody 100%
rose 85%
aromatic 70%
fresh spicy 60%
herbal 50%
green 40%
hot iron 35%
amber 30%
floral 25%
smoky 20%

About the Perfumer

Painting That Reflects Bitter Rose, Broken Spear Ds&durga

The Demon Seated by Mikhail Vrubel

The Demon Seated by Mikhail Vrubel, 1890

This evocative painting captures the complex, mysterious aura of the fragrance. The rich textures and contemplative mood mirror the fragrance's depth and striking presence, while the bold use of color reflects its distinctive character.

Classic Song That Matches Bitter Rose, Broken Spear Ds&durga

Song album cover

"Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin, 1924

Like Bitter Rose, Broken Spear Ds&durga, Gershwin's masterpiece seamlessly blends contrasting elements into a harmonious whole. The composition's elegant transitions between dynamic and serene passages mirror the fragrance's evolution on skin. Just as this scent brings together traditional and modern elements, "Rhapsody in Blue" merges classical structure with jazz improvisation, creating something sophisticated yet accessible—an auditory parallel to this fragrance's olfactory journey.

Fragrance Notes

Top Notes

The first impression, lasting 15-30 minutes

Ember
Thyme
Cubeb or Tailed pepper

Heart Notes

The core character, lasting 2-4 hours

Rose
Thistle
Nutmeg

Base Notes

The lasting impression, 4+ hours

Hot iron
Larch
Amber
Unique Character

Bitter Rose, Broken Spear Ds&durga by DS&Durga offers a distinctive olfactory experience that stands out from other fragrances in its category.

Artisanal Creation

Crafted with the finest ingredients and a blend of traditional and modern perfumery techniques, this fragrance represents the pinnacle of the perfumer's art.

Signature Style

Bitter Rose, Broken Spear Ds&durga embodies the distinctive style of DS&Durga while adding a unique chapter to their fragrance portfolio.

Character Profile

Bitter Rose, Broken Spear Ds&durga is Ideal For

The Bitter Rose, Broken Spear Individual: A Portrait of the Wounded Healer

The Archetype: The Wounded Healer

This person is most closely aligned with the Wounded Healer, an archetype rooted in the wisdom of suffering and transformation. Like Chiron, the centaur who could heal others but not himself, they carry an air of knowing melancholy—a soul tempered by pain yet refined by insight. Their chosen fragrance, Bitter Rose, Broken Spear, mirrors this duality: the rose, soft and romantic, is laced with bitterness, while the spear, once whole, now lies fractured. They are drawn to beauty that does not shy from decay, to strength that acknowledges its own breaking.

Tastes & Aesthetics: The Beauty in Ruin

Their tastes are an alchemy of elegance and rawness. They favor textures that tell stories—worn leather, oxidized silver, linen that wrinkles with use. Their wardrobe is deliberate, neither ostentatious nor careless, but curated to suggest depth: a tailored coat with a frayed hem, a silk blouse stained faintly with ink. They appreciate art that lingers in the liminal—Baroque still lifes with rotting fruit, poetry that whispers of loss without succumbing to despair. Music for them is often minor-key, resonant with unresolved tension—Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, or the dissonant harmonies of Arvo Pärt.

Philosophy & Values: Wisdom Through Wounding

They believe that true understanding comes not from avoiding suffering but from passing through it. Stoic by necessity, they reject platitudes and hollow optimism, preferring the clarity of Nietzsche’s dictum: "What does not kill me makes me stronger." Yet they are not cynical—their skepticism is tempered by a quiet hope, a belief in resilience. They value authenticity above all, despising pretense, and are drawn to those who speak plainly of their scars.

Their morality is not rigid but fluid, shaped by experience rather than dogma. They forgive easily the flaws of others but are merciless toward their own. This asymmetry is both their strength and their undoing—they extend compassion they rarely grant themselves.

Relationships: Intimacy at Arm’s Length

They attract others effortlessly, their presence magnetic, their listening profound. People confide in them instinctively, sensing an understanding that does not judge. Yet they remain just out of reach, their own vulnerabilities guarded behind wit or silence. Their love is deep but complicated—they fear both abandonment and engulfment, and so they oscillate between warmth and withdrawal.

Romantically, they are drawn to those who are equally complex—partners who are neither saviors nor victims, but fellow travelers in the art of endurance. Their relationships are intense, often marked by periods of closeness followed by retreat, as if they must periodically reaffirm their autonomy.

Lifestyle: The Art of Controlled Chaos

Their home is a sanctuary of curated disorder—books stacked haphazardly but with purpose, candles burned down to stubs, dried flowers preserved in amber resin. They thrive in cities but need solitude, often escaping to quiet corners where they can read, write, or simply exist without performance.

Professionally, they gravitate toward roles that allow them to mend what is broken—therapists, artists, crisis counselors, or even bartenders who serve as confessors to the night. They are not afraid of darkness, but they refuse to let it consume them.

The Shadow: The Martyr’s Trap

Their greatest flaw is their tendency to romanticize their suffering, to wear it like a badge of honor. At times, they mistake endurance for virtue, forgetting that healing requires more than stoicism—it demands surrender. They may grow resentful when their sacrifices go unnoticed, yet they refuse to ask for help, trapped in a cycle of silent martyrdom.

There is also a danger of becoming too comfortable in their role as the wounded sage, using their pain as a shield against vulnerability. If unchecked, they may withdraw entirely, mistaking isolation for strength.

Conclusion: The Alchemy of Scars

They are a paradox—fragile yet unbreakable, bitter yet tender. Their life is not one of unblemished triumph but of quiet victories wrested from defeat. Bitter Rose, Broken Spear is not just a fragrance to them; it is an emblem of their existence—a testament to the beauty that endures because it has known fracture.

They are the Wounded Healer, and though they may never fully mend themselves, they leave traces of light in the cracks of others.

Pros

  • Exceptional longevity that lasts throughout the day
  • Complex evolution offers a rewarding sensory journey
  • Versatile enough for various occasions and seasons
  • Unique composition stands out from mainstream fragrances
  • High-quality ingredients ensure a premium experience

Cons

  • May be too intense for casual everyday wear
  • Higher price point reflects premium positioning
  • Bold projection might be overwhelming in close quarters
  • Certain notes may polarize some noses
  • Not ideal for those who prefer subtle, skin-close scents

Fictional Characters Who Would Wear This

👔

Harvey Specter

from "Suits"

Confident, polished, and always in control – this scent matches his sophisticated persona.

🕶️

James Bond

from "007 Series"

Elegant yet dangerous, with a complex character that unfolds over time, just like the fragrance.

👑

Daenerys Targaryen

from "Game of Thrones"

Commands attention with a powerful presence that balances fiery intensity and regal grace.

🧠

Sherlock Holmes

from "Sherlock Holmes"

Appreciates complexity and nuance, with a distinctive signature that's easily recognized.

💼

Miranda Priestly

from "The Devil Wears Prada"

Exudes authority and refined taste, with an unapologetic boldness that demands respect.