The origin of cinnabar

Cinnabar, a treasure exquisitely carved by nature over hundreds of millions of years, has left an indelible mark in the long process of human civilization. Natural cinnabar presents a bright and charming red color, with a unique crystal structure. It commonly appears in rhombohedral or tabular forms. Its surface emits a fascinating adamantine luster, and under the refraction of light, it shines brightly, as if condensing the boundless splendor of the long years.

The formation of cinnabar is an extremely long and complex geological process. In ancient times, mercury and sulfur interacted under specific geological conditions such as temperature and pressure. After a long period of crystallization and precipitation, cinnabar gradually took shape. It is mainly produced in volcanic rocks, hot spring sediments, and some low - temperature hydrothermal deposits. As one of the main producing areas of cinnabar, China has rich cinnabar resources in Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan and other places. Among them, the cinnabar produced in Chenzhou (now Yuanling) in Hunan is famous for its excellent quality and bright color, and the name "Chensha" comes from this. As early as in the Neolithic sites, traces of cinnabar have been found, indicating that ancient humans had already noticed this magical red substance. In the long history, cinnabar has gradually become an indispensable part of human life from the initial accidental discovery.

The Mysterious Alchemy Era: In ancient times, cinnabar was shrouded in a mysterious color and closely connected with alchemy. Taoists believed that cinnabar was a substance with magical effects. Through complex refining processes, it could be transformed into an elixir of immortality. From Emperor Qin Shi Huang sending Xu Fu to the sea to search for the elixir of immortality to Emperor Wu of Han's obsession with alchemy, many emperors and generals in history placed high hopes on the elixir refined from cinnabar. Although this pursuit ultimately failed, the continuous exploration and experimentation of the properties of cinnabar during the alchemy process greatly promoted the accumulation and development of ancient chemical knowledge. For example, Ge Hong recorded various methods of cinnabar alchemy in detail in "Baopuzi". These records are not only precious materials of ancient alchemy but also provide important clues for later generations to study ancient chemistry.

 Application in Traditional Chinese Medicine: In the field of traditional Chinese medicine, cinnabar also has a long - standing application history. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cinnabar has the effects of clearing the heart, calming the mind, relieving convulsions, and detoxifying. It is often used to treat symptoms such as palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, dreaminess, epilepsy, and mania. "Shennong's Materia Medica" listed cinnabar as a top - grade medicine, stating that it "governs all diseases of the five internal organs of the body, nourishes the spirit, calms the soul, replenishes qi, and improves eyesight." However, since cinnabar contains mercury and has certain toxicity, in modern medicine, its use is strictly regulated. When doctors use cinnabar in medicine, they will strictly control the dosage and usage methods to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Precious Pigment in Art Creation: In the field of art creation, cinnabar is an indispensable important material. In traditional Chinese painting, many of the bright vermilion pigments are carefully ground from cinnabar. From the gorgeous colors of the Dunhuang Murals to the delicate depictions of the meticulous - style paintings in the Tang and Song Dynasties, cinnabar has added a unique artistic charm to traditional Chinese painting. Painters have used it to create masterpieces that have been passed down through the ages, adding a solemn and elegant temperament to the paintings. In calligraphy works, the cinnabar - made ink paste is also highly favored by literati and scholars. When stamped on the works, it not only serves as an identification but also enhances the artistic value of the works. For example, many of Emperor Qianlong's imperial calligraphy works are stamped with vermilion seals, demonstrating the majesty and solemnity of the royal family.

Auspicious Object for Exorcising Evil in Folk Culture: In folk beliefs and folk cultures, cinnabar is endowed with the special meaning of exorcising evil and praying for good luck. After a newborn is born, a dot of cinnabar is placed between the eyebrows, symbolizing healthy growth and driving away evil spirits and disasters. When building a house, cinnabar is smeared on the gate or beams and columns to seek the peace of the home. In some traditional festivals and sacrificial activities, cinnabar is also often used to express the longing for a better life and the awe of the gods. This folk tradition has a long history and is still prevalent in many places today.

According to its form, texture, and composition, cinnabar can be divided into many types, among which Purple Gold Cinnabar, Crystal Cinnabar, and Imperial Cinnabar are more common.

Purple Gold Cinnabar: Purple Gold Cinnabar is a cinnabar product made by mixing and pressing cinnabar particles and resin. Its color is usually purplish - red, hence the name. Purple Gold Cinnabar retains some of the characteristics of cinnabar. It has a unique texture in appearance, as if the cinnabar particles are closely integrated to form a unique beauty. Its production process is relatively complex. Natural cinnabar needs to be ground into fine powder, then mixed with a specific proportion of resin, and finally formed through a series of processes such as high - temperature pressing. Purple Gold Cinnabar not only has certain ornamental value and is often made into various accessories such as bracelets and pendants for people to wear; at the same time, due to its cinnabar composition, in some traditional concepts, it is also considered to have the function of exorcising evil spirits. In the market, Purple Gold Cinnabar accessories are loved by the majority of consumers because of their relatively affordable prices and diverse styles.

Crystal Cinnabar: Crystal Cinnabar, also known as raw - ore cinnabar, is a natural cinnabar crystal that has not been much processed. Crystal Cinnabar has a complete crystal structure, presenting obvious rhombohedral or tabular forms, high transparency, and a strong adamantine luster. Under the illumination of light, it can emit a bright and dazzling light. Its color is mostly bright vermilion, with a pure color, and it is a relatively high - quality variety of cinnabar. Due to the harsh formation conditions and difficult mining of Crystal Cinnabar, its output is relatively low, and the price is relatively expensive. Crystal Cinnabar is often used to make high - end handicrafts and collectibles, such as exquisite ornaments and carvings, which can fully display the natural beauty and unique charm of cinnabar. In some large museums, precious cultural relics made of Crystal Cinnabar can often be seen, attracting many viewers to stop and admire.

Imperial Cinnabar: Imperial Cinnabar is a high - quality cinnabar variety. Its color is bright and eye - catching, usually bright red, giving people a noble and gorgeous feeling, which is one of the reasons why it is called "Imperial Cinnabar". The crystal particles of Imperial Cinnabar are relatively large, the texture is relatively hard, the internal structure is tight, and there are few impurities. In appearance, it has a delicate texture and a unique luster. After polishing and buffing, it can present an excellent visual effect. The processing technology of Imperial Cinnabar requires high skills. Craftsmen need to carve it carefully to show its unique beauty. It is often used to make high - grade accessories and artworks, such as exquisite necklaces, bracelets, Buddha statues, etc. It not only has extremely high ornamental value but also has certain collection value due to its scarcity. In some cultural traditions, Imperial Cinnabar is also regarded as a symbol of power and status and is endowed with special significance. For example, in the ancient imperial palaces, the accessories worn by emperors often used Imperial Cinnabar to show their noble status.

In modern society, cinnabar still plays an important role in many fields. In the handicraft production field, with the continuous progress of craftsmanship, the types and styles of cinnabar products are becoming more and more abundant, which not only meets people's pursuit of beauty but also inherits traditional culture. In the collection market, high - quality cinnabar products, especially handicrafts made of natural Crystal Cinnabar and Imperial Cinnabar, are highly sought after by collectors due to their scarcity and unique artistic value. In the field of scientific research, the special physical and chemical properties of cinnabar have also attracted the attention of scientists. In - depth research on it helps to promote the development of disciplines such as materials science and chemistry. As a mineral with a long history and wide range of uses, cinnabar occupies an important position in the development of human civilization with its unique charm and rich cultural connotations. It is not only a precious gift from nature to humanity but also a crystallization of human wisdom and creativity. Its diverse classifications each show different characteristics and values, which are worthy of our in - depth exploration and appreciation. With the development of the times, cinnabar will surely continue to shine in inheritance and innovation and make new contributions to the progress of human civilization.