What Does Cinnabar Mean?

Cinnabar is also sometimes written as cinnabarite. It is another name for red mercury sulfide, or native vermilion, the common ore of mercury. It is derived from Greek –"kinnabari" and was used to denote several distinct substances. It was initially used by Theophrastus. Some say the word comes from the Persian word "zinjifrah", that originally meant "lost". It is bright scarlet to brick-red in color and is usually found in a granular or earthy form.

Many also believe that its origin was in China because it is extremely popular. In the Chinese language it is referred to as the dragon's blood. It is often mistaken for a gemstone. It is very well known in china as it is used in jewelry and other artifacts by the artisans over there. It is also used as a pigment.