Cinnabar has been used by humans for thousands of years, this natural mercury sulfide was highly prized by ancient civilizations for its beautiful color and diverse uses. Here is an overview of the many ways cinnabar has been utilized throughout history and today.
Pigment
The most common use of cinnabar over the centuries has been as a pigment. Its brilliant hue made it perfect for decorating tombs, tempera paints, and lacquerware. Cinnabar's adoption in China dates back to at least the Yangshao culture in the Neolithic period when it was used for coloring ceramics and other goods. The pigment was popular with the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans as well and appears prominently in many murals, manuscripts, and wall paintings of antiquity. Even after synthetic pigments were developed, cinnabar continued to be used by artists into the 20th century.
Cosmetics
In ancient China and India, cinnabar was also processed into a powder to use as a cosmetic. Upper-class women would apply the crushed mineral as a lipstick, eyeliner, or face powder, believing it gave them an elegant appearance. The tradition continued for centuries in parts of Asia where the vermillion color symbolized life and fertility. Though toxic mercury content made it unsuitable as a modern-day cosmetic, cinnabar had a long run as a coveted decorative skin product.
Medicinal Uses
Several ancient medical traditions relied on cinnabar for its purported therapeutic benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnabar was infused in beverages or pills to treat a wide array of ailments including epilepsy, immortality, mental illness, and menstrual irregularities. The mineral was also combined with sulfur and honey to make an early antibiotic salve. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, European alchemists pushed the limits of cinnabar's uses by mixing it with various other compounds in an attempt to produce gold or the elixir of life. Of course, we now know the dangers of mercury make medicinal uses inadvisable.
Other Applications
Cinnabar's associations with longevity and prosperity led to additional applications besides pigments and medicine. Feng shui practitioners would bury chunks of cinnabar near the entrance of homes and buildings to deflect negative energy and promote success within. The brilliant red rocks were also carved into stamps and seals for official decrees in China and Japan. Cinnabar-colored ink was used for printing banknotes, certificates, and other important documents. And lacquerware inlaid with cinnabar designs remains a hallmark of high-quality Asian craftsmanship.
Though not widely utilized today due to toxicity concerns, cinnabar was an integral part of craft-making, art, medicine, and spirituality for thousands of years. Its alluring color and unique properties cemented its status as a treasured mineral across many ancient cultures. From cosmetics to carved trinkets, cinnabar found its way into a myriad of human creations that survive as a testament to its timeless appeal.
