Spikenard, a rare and costly fragrant oil, was used by Mary of Bethany to anoint the head and feet of the Messiah two days before His death, as recorded in John 12:3: “Then Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.” It speaks of the Bride’s extravagant adoration of and intimacy with the Bridegroom, in total abandonment, without regard to cost. We at ABBA call Spikenard "The Fragrance of the Bride", for it symbolizes the Bride who has made herself ready.

 

Song of Sol 1:12 "While the king sits at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance."