What are the Fragrance Families and Fragrance Wheel?

The new scheme was created in order to simplify fragrance classification and naming scheme, as well as to show the relationships between each of the individual classes. Detailed fragrance wheel.

Fragrances families are aroma grouping of related scents. Michael Edwards structured perfumes into four main fragrance families: fresh, floral, oriental, woody and fourteen sub-groups: Citrus, Water, Green, Fruity, Floral, Soft Floral, Floral Oriental, Soft Oriental, Oriental, Woody Oriental, Woods, Mossy Woods, Dry Woods, Aromatic (Fougère). Each family leads to the next, for example - Soft Floral become Floral Oriental then Floral Oriental become Soft Oriental etc.
The chart last time modified in 2010, moving the Aromatic (Fougère) group to between Citrus and Dry Woods to synchronize the chart with recent studies on smell perception. Each fragrance family of the wheel is clarified below. 

Citrus Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Citrus fragrances are between Aromatic (Fougère) and Water scents. Citrus fragrance family includes bergamot, lemon, orange and other citrus oils. This family is known, how light and fresh. Basically synonymous with warm spring and summer days, these citrus scents are light, fun and perfect for a fresh start. This fragrance family is the oldest one, with aromatic notes for men and floral notes for women.

Water Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Water fragrances are between Citrus and Green scents. Water fragrance family is one of the youngest families. This family is known, how marine, aquatic and fresh. Water fragrances main notes include marine and aquatic notes, generally from the chemical calone. Generally contains calone, a synthetic scent discovered in 1966, or other more recent synthetics.
The clean Water smell reminiscent of the ocean, fresh sea sprays, or wet air after a thunderstorm. Water fragrance family notes are cool and refreshing notes of sea breeze, water flower and grass, complemented by green or metallic notes. They envelop the body with a pleasant, light, flickering mist.

Green Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Green fragrances are between Water and Fruity scents. Green fragrance family characterizes botanical fragrance notes, like those of leaves, stalks or freshly mown grass, as well as cucumbery-violet-like green. The green fragrance family is the most traditional of all. These soft, light scents are fresh and outdoorsy, like a perfect day for a picnic, and evoke memories of spring and summer.

Fruity Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Fruity fragrances are between Green and Floral scents. Fruity Fragrance family includes mostly berries and other non-citrus fruits such as peach, apple, pear, forest strawberry or exotic fruit. Compositions of this family are refreshing, light, and airy, with a sweet, fruity nuance. These perfumes are especially popular among the younger crowd.

Floral Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Floral fragrances are between Fruity and Soft Floral scents. Floral Fragrance family is the biggest perfume group and the most popular among women. Floral notes usually form the heart of a perfume.
Floral fragrances highlight the aroma of fresh cut flowers, ranging from simple and subtle to more heady bouquets of aromas that combine a symphony of scents. Lily, gardenia, jasmine, freesia, roses and other more exotic blooms are the stars of these ever-popular, classically feminine perfumes. Feminine, sensual and fresh, floral fragrances are the best beauty shortcut to feeling super summery.

Soft Floral Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Soft Floral fragrances are between Floral and Floral Oriental scents. Soft floral fragrance family include mostly floral notes. Main notes include aldehydes and powdery notes. The combination of sophisticated aldehydes and delicate flowers creates a family of soft, often powdery, abstract florals. Soft flower fragrance is a light and clear energy, which is not too dominant. The perfect fragrance for the daytime or for the weekend during a romantic day.

Floral Oriental Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Floral Oriental fragrances are between Soft Floral and Soft Oriental scents. These are fragrances that bridge the gap between the floral and oriental families. Sweet, warm, powdery base typical of this family.
A floral oriental fragrance features a combination of rich floral, orange blossom and sweet spicy notes. These notes make the compositions richer and deeper. Perfumes strike a beautiful balance between more traditional floral and more exotic Oriental fragrances to evoke a feeling of subtle sensuality. These floral oriental perfumes are perfect for that romantic dinner date or evening walks.

Soft Oriental Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Soft Oriental fragrances are between Floral Oriental and Oriental scents. Soft Oriental fragrances feature incense and amber as primary scents. The fragrances in this family smolder rather than glitter. Their character is velvety, elegant and warm. They are less sweet and heavy than a true Oriental. Soft oriental perfumes perfect for autumn and winter evening wear. The best winter perfumes for her and him.

Oriental Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Oriental fragrances are between Soft Oriental and Woody Oriental scents. Oriental perfumes are perhaps the oldest fragrance family. The oriental fragrance family consists of heavy, full bodied and long lasting perfumes. Main notes include oriental resins such as frankincense, musk or vanilla.
Dramatic and complex, the fragrances in this family have an unforgettable aura. From the most exotic of all the families, these fragrances are sensual, opulent and full-bodied with a seductive heaviness and usually loved in the winter evening. The best winter fragrances for women and men.

Woody Oriental Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Woody Oriental fragrances are between Oriental and Woods scents. It's family the main notes are sandalwood and patchouli notes. Woods play the dominant role here, with the characteristic Oriental notes lending an opulent touch.
Woody Oriental fragrances are sultry, mysterious, perplexing, sweet, warm exotic and seductive. A fragrance you’d wear at night.

Woods Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Woods fragrances are between Woody Oriental and Mossy Woods scents. The Woods family brings the woody notes into the limelight. Classic woods include dominant notes of cedar, patchouli, pine, sandalwood and vetiver. They are the divas that take the center stage in this family, with other notes serving merely as accents.
The perfume of this group is made for strong-willed, confident and sophisticated people.

Mossy Woods (Chypre) Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Mossy Woods fragrances are between Woods and Dry Woods scents. Mossy Woods scents are based on oakmoss and amber notes and so called Chypre fragrance family. Chypre perfume evokes the aromas of Mediterranean countries: sharp, refreshing, green, delicate. This scent is based on harmony of oak moss, labdanum, patchouli, amber and and citrus Chypre fragrances. The fragrances in this family have a character that is polished and undeniably sensual, dramatic and restrained, warm and cool.

Dry Woods Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Dry Woods fragrances are between Mossy Woods and Aromatic Fougère scents.
Dry Woods perfumes mix the aromas of dry woods and leather for an outdoorsy, masculine aroma that is drier, or even smoky. The Dry Woods family's character to become deeper, drier and more somber, than Mossy Woods family.

Aromatic Fougère Fragrance Family

On the Fragrance Wheel, Aromatic Fougère fragrances are between Dry Woods and Citrus scents. Aromatic Fougère group of fragrances includes mostly fresh notes. Among the main notes you can find lavender and aromatic herbs. This universal fragrance family includes elements from different families: the freshness from the Citrus family, floral notes of lavender, the spicy-sweetness of a Floral Oriental, the ambery depth of an Oriental and the Mossy Woods warmth of sandalwood and oakmoss.
Many male-oriented fragrances come from this family, but blends of fresh florals, orientals and woody notes are pleasing to the feminine nose too.

What is your favorite fragrance family?