Mary Magdalene's spikenard: history, symbolism and use of spikenard oil

Among all the perfumes of the Bible, one is especially dear to Christians: spikenard. It was with this precious perfume that a woman anointed Jesus a few days before his Passion, a gesture that tradition has associated with Saint Mary Magdalene. Here in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, at the foot of the basilica where her relics rest, spikenard has a very special meaning. Let us discover its history, its symbolism and how to use it in prayer today.

What is spikenard?

Spikenard, or Indian nard, is an aromatic plant of the valerian family that grows high in the Himalayas. Its roots give off a deep, warm, woody fragrance, both earthy and slightly musky.

In ancient times, an extremely rare scented oil was made from it. Carried thousands of kilometres along the caravan routes to the Near East, it was worth a small fortune: it was kept in sealed alabaster jars, reserved for great occasions, for kings and for burials.

Spikenard in the Bible

Spikenard already appears in the Song of Songs, where the beloved says that her nard gives forth its fragrance while the king is at his table (Song 1:12). It is listed among the most precious perfumes of the “garden locked” (Song 4:13-14), an image of faithful, self-giving love.

But it is in the Gospels that spikenard takes on its full meaning. A few days before the Passover, at Bethany, a woman comes to Jesus with an alabaster jar of ointment of “pure nard, very costly” (Mk 14:3). She breaks the jar and pours the perfume over him. Saint John adds that she anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, and that “the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment” (Jn 12:3).

Some of the disciples are indignant: this perfume could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, almost a year's wages for a labourer, and the money given to the poor. Jesus defends her: by this gesture she has anointed his body beforehand for burial, and wherever the Gospel is preached, what she has done will be told in memory of her (Mk 14:4-9).

A gesture of free, unconditional love: that is what spikenard reminds us of every time we breathe it in.

Why do we speak of “Mary Magdalene's spikenard”?

In the Gospel of John, the woman of Bethany is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Since Pope Saint Gregory the Great, at the end of the 6th century, the tradition of the Latin Church has recognised in her Mary of Magdala, the faithful disciple present at the foot of the Cross and the first witness of the Resurrection. The Eastern Churches, for their part, distinguish these figures.

This is why, in the West, Mary Magdalene is almost always depicted holding a jar of perfume, and spikenard has become “her” perfume: that of repentance, love and faithfulness to the end.

Mary Magdalene and Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

According to Provençal tradition, Mary Magdalene landed on the coast of Provence with several companions, including Saint Maximin. She is said to have spent some thirty years in prayer and contemplation in the cave of the Sainte-Baume, before being buried in Saint-Maximin.

In 1279, Charles of Anjou, the future King Charles II, had her relics searched for in the crypt of Saint-Maximin, and the great Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, a jewel of Provençal Gothic, was built from the end of the 13th century to house them. Pilgrims from all over the world still come here to pray today. Our shop is right opposite.

How to use spikenard oil today

Spikenard oil is not a sacrament: it does not replace holy chrism or the anointing of the sick, which are celebrated by priests. It is an aid to prayer, a tangible sign that helps us recollect ourselves and remember the gesture at Bethany. Here are a few simple ways to use it:

• Before a time of prayer: place a drop on your wrist or trace a small sign of the cross on your forehead, and let the fragrance invite you into silence.

• To pray with Mary Magdalene: reread the passage of Bethany (Jn 12:1-8) while breathing in the fragrance of spikenard.

• During a pilgrimage or a novena: a daily gesture that accompanies your intention.

• As a gift: a meaningful present for a baptism, a confirmation, a feast day, or a loved one going through a difficult time.

Spikenard oil is for external use only. Do a small skin test before first use.

Our spikenard oil from Jerusalem

At the Mariam shop, we offer a spikenard oil from Jerusalem, imported from the Holy Land and blessed by a priest of the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene in Saint-Maximin. It comes as a 10 ml roll-on, ideal for slipping into a bag, as well as in larger dropper or spray bottles.

You can also discover our other oils from Jerusalem (rose, myrrh, amber, frankincense, jasmine) and our gift boxes, which pair spikenard with a rosary and a prayer booklet: a lovely idea for Christmas.

And if you are passing through Saint-Maximin, come and visit us at the shop, opposite the basilica: we will be happy to let you smell the spikenard and tell you its story.