Uses of Cinnabar in Taoism

In the profound and extensive system of Taoist culture, cinnabar holds an irreplaceable and crucial position. Its functions and applications permeate various aspects of Taoist beliefs, practices, and rituals, carrying profound cultural connotations and mysterious religious implications. It is like an invisible thread, connecting every aspect of Taoist culture.

### I. Drawing Talismans: A Mysterious Medium for Communicating with Gods
Talismans are one of the core elements of Taoist magic and are regarded as the key link for communicating with gods, expelling evil spirits, and praying for blessings. Due to its bright, eye - catching, and highly penetrative red color, cinnabar is regarded as a pure yang substance in Taoist culture, containing powerful yang energy and the power to expel evil spirits, which can greatly enhance the spiritual power of talismans. When Taoist priests draw talismans, they are extremely particular about the selection and use of cinnabar. They will carefully select high - quality cinnabar, grind it into fine powder, and then mix it with specific modifiers to make cinnabar ink specially used for drawing talismans.

The process of drawing talismans is filled with a strong sense of ritual and sacredness. Taoist priests need to purify their bodies, calm their minds, and burn incense first to express their reverence and piety to the gods. Subsequently, on special yellow paper or silk, according to the inherited runes and patterns, they use exquisite brushwork to draw talismans stroke by stroke. Each line and each symbol contain specific mantras and mysterious divine powers. The integration of cinnabar seems to inject vitality into the talismans, making them a mysterious bridge connecting the mortal world and the divine world. In the Taoist understanding, talismans drawn in this way can play a huge role in activities such as Taoist rituals, expelling evil spirits, treating diseases, and praying for good fortune and eliminating disasters, helping people fulfill their wishes and resolve disasters.

For example, in many stories widely spread among the people, Taoist priests used talismans drawn with cinnabar to successfully expel evil spirits and save villages haunted by ghosts. Although these stories are rich in mythological colors, they vividly reflect the supreme sacred status of cinnabar talismans in Taoist beliefs and the hearts of the people from the side.

### II. Alchemy and Medicine - Making: A Mysterious Ingredient for the Pursuit of Immortality
Taoist alchemy has a long history and carries the Taoist priests' unremitting pursuit of immortality and transcendence. Throughout the long history of alchemy, cinnabar has always been one of the most important ingredients. The Taoist classic "Baopuzi" details various alchemy methods with cinnabar as the main ingredient. Taoist priests believe that cinnabar, having experienced the long - term precipitation of time, has absorbed the essence and spiritual energy between heaven and earth, and has magical medicinal and cultivation effects. Through a complex and delicate refining process, cinnabar combines with other minerals and herbs to produce pills containing powerful spiritual power and mysterious forces.

During the alchemy process, the wonderful changes of cinnabar are regarded as a mysterious revelation. Its decomposition and combination under high - temperature conditions are interpreted as the concrete manifestation of the transformation of yin and yang and the mutual generation and restriction of the five elements. Taoist priests firmly believe that taking these pills refined from cinnabar can not only strengthen the body and prolong life but also help practitioners open up meridians and improve their cultivation realm, ultimately achieving the ultimate goal of becoming an immortal. Although from the perspective of modern science, this concept has certain limitations, in the historical development of Taoism, cinnabar - based alchemy is undoubtedly a significant tradition and practice, which has had a profound impact on Taoist philosophical thoughts and cultivation methods.

### III. Making Magic Tools: Endowing Magic Tools with Spirituality and Power
In the field of making Taoist magic tools, cinnabar also plays an indispensable and crucial role. Many magic tools, such as peach - wood swords, magic seals, and tokens, are specially treated with cinnabar during the manufacturing process. Take the peach - wood sword as an example. The peach wood itself is considered to have the magical effect of expelling evil spirits. When Taoist priests carefully smear cinnabar on the peach - wood sword, its evil - expelling ability is believed to be greatly enhanced. The pure yang power of cinnabar and the evil - expelling property of peach wood complement each other, making the peach - wood sword a powerful weapon in the hands of Taoist priests during exorcism rituals.

The Taoist magic seal, as a symbol of power and spiritual energy, is often dyed or decorated with cinnabar during its production. The magic seal is engraved with specific runes and patterns, representing the will and power of the gods. The blessing of cinnabar further strengthens the spiritual power of the magic seal. When stamped on talismans and official documents, it can endow these documents with stronger efficacy, convey the messages of communication between Taoist priests and the gods, and achieve the purposes of praying for blessings and expelling evil spirits.

### IV. Ritual Ceremonies: Creating a Sacred Atmosphere and Purifying the Body and Mind
In the rich, colorful, and solemn Taoist ritual ceremonies, cinnabar plays a pivotal role, running through every link of the ceremonies. In the consecration ceremony, the use of cinnabar is particularly crucial. When a new statue of a god is completed or a new magic tool is made, Taoist priests will hold a solemn consecration ceremony to endow it with spirituality and vitality. During this process, Taoist priests use cinnabar to perform operations such as dotting the eyes and acupoints of the statue or magic tool. Dotting the eyes symbolizes endowing the statue with the ability to perceive all things in the world, and dotting the acupoints implies opening the spiritual energy channels of the magic tool. Through these ceremonies, the statue and the magic tool are believed to establish a close connection with the gods and become the symbols and media of the gods in the mortal world.

In exorcism, blessing - seeking and other ritual activities, cinnabar water is also a commonly used item. Taoist priests mix cinnabar with water to make cinnabar water, and then dip willow branches or other magic tools into the cinnabar water to perform the purification ceremony. They believe that cinnabar water can purify the venue, eliminate evil spirits and negative energy around, and create a sacred and peaceful atmosphere for the ritual activities. At the same time, believers participating in the rituals will also receive the purification of cinnabar water during the ceremony to purify their bodies and minds and obtain the blessing of the gods.

### V. Wearing for Protection: Guarding the Safety of Practitioners and Believers
Based on the traditional concept that cinnabar can expel evil spirits and protect the body, Taoist priests and believers often wear ornaments made of cinnabar, such as cinnabar bracelets and cinnabar pendants. In the Taoist cultivation concept, practitioners may be disturbed by external evil spirits and negative energy during the cultivation process. Wearing cinnabar ornaments can form an invisible protective barrier to resist these adverse effects, ensuring that practitioners can focus on cultivation without being disturbed by the outside world.

For ordinary believers, wearing cinnabar ornaments is also a form of spiritual sustenance and expression of faith. They believe that the mysterious power of cinnabar can protect themselves and their families' safety and health, and give them strength and courage when facing various difficulties and challenges in life. In the folk, many parents will also let their children wear cinnabar ornaments, hoping to bless their children to grow up healthily and stay away from diseases and disasters.

In conclusion, the functions and applications of cinnabar in Taoism are extensive and profound. It is not only a material carrier but also an important symbol of Taoist culture and beliefs. It permeates all aspects of Taoism, witnesses the development of Taoism, and adds a mysterious and unique charm to Taoist culture.