Cinnabar Stone – properties, virtues & benefits

Discover the lithotherapy properties of the Cinnabar stone. This enchanting stone will help you master your intuition and inner fire. It’s known for its intense passion and great power.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CINABRE

Chakra: Root.
Properties: Transformation, vital energy, protection.
Astrology: Mercury.
Zodiac: Gemini, Virgo.
Elements: Earth, Fire.
Colors: Red, orange-red.
Hardness: 2-2.5 (Mohs scale).
Chemical Formula: HgS.
Associated god: Hermes.

CINABRE – HIS HISTORY

For thousands of years, cinnabar stone has fascinated mankind with its intense red color, and has been used in many fields such as art and medicine due to its diverse properties. Paleolithic hunter-gatherers were the first to use this type of stone in Western Europe to paint the walls of caves such as Chauvet, Cosquer, Lascaux and Altamira. Hematite is the stone from which this hue originates. During the Neolithic period, volcanic eruptions had an influence on cinnabar stone deposits. The Levant region was the first to discover the uses of this brightly-colored grain, although the nearest deposits were in the volcanic zone of Anatolia. The most important Neolithic site of Çatal Höyük in Anatolia showed traces of this material on the skeletons and skulls of many of the deceased, as well as in wall artworks in sanctuaries. The red of these works was often achieved by adding ochre to emphasize the intensity and luminosity of this precious and rare hue.

Cinnabar stone was used in Europe during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, notably in Spain and Serbia, where significant concentrations have been discovered in the Almadén region. Traces of this material have also been identified in the sites of the Vinča culture in the Balkans, where it was found on pottery fragments from the Šuplja Stena mine. In China, the earliest traces of this material date back to the Middle Yangshao culture, between 4000 and 3500 BC, where it was commonly used to paint pottery. The Bronze Age, marked by the emergence of the state and an urban civilization in Mesopotamia and Egypt, saw the appearance of the first cuneiform and hieroglyphic writings, which documented the history of artistic creation. Ochres of this hue were well known in ancient Egypt, and were recovered in Spain by the Egyptians during the first millennium B.C.

Cinnabar stone was used in Ptolemaic Egypt to color burnt bone fragments and Fayum portraits. It was also used at the funerals of Bronze Age Chinese elites to ward off demons, and appeared in the pyro-osteomancy divination technique. During the Qin dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang used five tons of mercury sulfide and 25 tons of the mineral’s crude ore to coat the eight thousand terracotta statues of soldiers and horses that accompany his mausoleum. Cinnabar stone writing was used in the writing of covenant oaths and official documents in China, and was considered an imperial color under the Zhou dynasty. In Taoist circles, it was considered the suitable hue for folk traditions, and according to Ge HongTous’s Baopuzi, all charms and talismans had to be written in this color.

The use of mercury sulfide, also known as cinnabar, has been found in several archaeological sites in Europe and China. In Spain, a flint blade dating from 5300-5200 BC was discovered coated with this material in a flint mine. Significant concentrations have also been found in the Almadén region of Spain. In China, it was used as a Pigment for painting pottery as early as the Middle Neolithic, and was also employed in funerary rituals to ward off demons. Under the Qin dynasty, the emperor Qin Shi Huang had a huge mausoleum built where terracotta statues of soldiers and horses were coated with several layers of the material.

In other parts of the world, this Pigment was used to produce seals in China and to paint inscriptions on marble in Greece. Greek painters also used this Pigment for its intense red color and to create orange hues when mixed with kaolinite. It was also used to render realistic facial complexions. In Rome, it was imported from Spain and processed in numerous specialized workshops. It was renowned for its scarlet color and was sacred, used to dye JuPiter’s face on feast days. In EthioPia, it is still sought-after and used to dye the whole body of tall figures and to color statues of the gods.

The Greeks and Romans used hematite and cinnabar as Pigments to decorate luxurious homes, such as the House of the Griffins and the House of Augustus in Rome, as well as country houses like the Villa de Boscoreale in Campania. This method of painting was introduced to Gaul after its conquest by Caesar. The Greeks and Romans used these Pigments for aesthetic purposes, while other civilizations, such as the Chinese and Amerindians, used them for funeral traditions, religious rituals and as a symbol of prestige. Cinnabar was extracted from the Huancavelica mine in Peru and used to decorate ceramics, tombs and ceremonial objects. Sediments in lakes dating back to 1400 BC have shown traces of mercury contamination. The Mayans used cinnabar for their funeral rituals, while the Mexicans made it their most sacred Pigment. The walls of the Temple XIII tomb in Palenque, Mexico, were covered in cinnabar-red Pigment to symbolize blood and rebirth. The Chinese also used cinnabar for their funerary and religious traditions. Mural painting techniques reached great sophistication in Pompeii, but required a deeper theoretical and ideological understanding of metals and minerals, which developed in India and the Mediterranean basin over the following centuries.

Cinnabar has been used for grain creation and in alchemy, but also in medicine and in symbolic and sPiritual thought movements, since Neolithic times. Alchemy, which mixed secret chemical methods with mystical speculation, was very popular in the Middle Ages, but was affected by the chemical revolution in Western Europe, which severed the links between the sciences and the various forms of knowledge. In India and China, however, much alchemical knowledge still survives in traditional medicines. After the chemical revolution, the use of iron-labelled cinnabar declined and eventually disappeared due to its dangerousness. In China, beliefs in the pathogenic influence of demons led to violent drug treatments, such as the use of Sun Dejun’s Pill to combat demon attacks. The carved lacquer method has been used in China since the seventh century, and the vermilion hue obtained by grinding cinnabar very finely gave rise to so-called “Peking” lacquers. In Europe, true vermilion was rare after 1880, and the Dutch imported cinnabar to transform it into vermilion. The Germans created a cheaper process for converting the mineral ethiops into vermilion, while cinnabar was used as a drug and in the treatment of syphilis and skin problems, before being banned due to its dangerousness.

CINABAR STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION

Cinnabar stone is derived from the grinding and washing of mercury sulfide, with a chemical composition of sulfur and mercury in a 1:1 ratio (14% sulfur). After the Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and Arabs, European alchemists attempted to synthesize this material using sulfur, creating synthetic cinnabar, also known as vermilion, which was used to adorn manuscripts from the 11th century onwards. Since Neolithic times, natural cinnabar has been used for works of art, notably murals, and has been used in funerary rituals, alchemical research, therapeutic perspectives and to create works of art. The symbolic meaning of cinnabar’s vivid color has varied according to culture and time, but is often linked to the theme of immortality. DesPite its frequent use in painting and decoration, the chemical revolution finally put an end to its use, as mercury was recognized as dangerous. Cinnabar is formed from the solidification of magmatic fluid residues, and the best-known mines are found in Spain, Tuscany and Slovenia.

CINABER STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES

PSYCHOLOGICAL CINABER

Cinnabar is a stone with beneficial properties for our body and mind. It is known to increase strength, courage and persuasiveness, but may not be suitable for people who are overly stressed, impulsive or cardiac. Cinnabar has a positive effect on the circulatory and immune systems, and can strengthen hearing. It can also help improve intuition and creativity, and is useful for meditation by enabling a better apprehension of the flow of energy from the divine source to the physical sphere. It is particularly effective in enhancing assertiveness, communication and self-confidence, and in reducing aggression while improving concentration. Cinnabar is also reputed to promote a greater flow of vital energy in the sacral and base or root chakras, improving the quality of kundalini awakening and personal connection. It can help rid oneself of fear and resentment, as well as accepting the wounds caused by anger and jealousy. Finally, cinnabar possesses a long vibrational power that melts away excess energy to improve the sPiritual grounding field of our lives.

CINABRA ON THE PHYSICAL LEVEL

Cinnabar stone is known for its ability to enhance strength and courage, while improving our ability to persuade others. It is also beneficial for the circulatory and immune systems, as well as for hearing. However, it is not recommended for people suffering from stress, impulsivity or heart problems. It is useful for enhancing intuition and alertness, and promoting creativity. Cinnabar is a crystal of transformation and is beneficial for meditation. It is often placed near places where money is received to help attract financial abundance. It is known to increase self-confidence, smooth communication and reduce aggression. It improves concentration and has a strong resonance in the sacral and base chakras. It is also reputed to purify the blood, increase its quality, stimulate lymphocyte creation and strengthen bone structure and fertility. In Chinese medicine, it is linked to the Taoist trinity of Earth, Man and Heaven. However, it’s important to note that modern medicine no longer uses it due to its proven toxicity.

CINABRE STONE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE

To clean and refill the cinnabar stone, proceed as follows:

Physical cleaning: Because of its toxicity (contains mercury), it’s best not to run it under water. Instead, use a soft, dry cloth to remove surface impurities.
Energetic cleaning: place the stone in a bowl containing unrefined sea salt or coarse salt, and let it stand for a few hours. Make sure the salt covers the stone completely. The salt will absorb negative energies.
Recharging: Cinnabar is photosensitive, so avoid exposing it to direct sunlight. To recharge it, place the stone next to a source of indirect light or in moonlight, especially during a full moon. You can also use an amethyst or quartz geode to recharge the stone.

Remember to handle cinnabar stone with care due to its toxicity, and always wash your hands after touching it.

WHERE DOES THE NAME CINABRE COME FROM?

The name “cinnabar” has its origins in the Latin “cinnabaris” and the ancient Greek “kinnabari” (κιννάβαρι). These terms were used to designate this bright red mineral, composed mainly of mercury sulfide (HgS). The word “cinnabar” is probably derived from an oriental language, possibly Sanskrit “śiśirī” (शिशिरी), meaning “cold” or “frost”, in reference to the mineral’s shiny, solid appearance. Cinnabar stone has been known and used since antiquity, notably in the manufacture of Pigments and the practice of alchemy.

WHICH CHAKRA DOES CINABAR ACT ON?

Cinnabar stone acts primarily on the root chakra, also called Muladhara in Sanskrit. This chakra is the first of the seven main chakras and is located at the base of the sPine. It is associated with stability, security, connection to the Earth and the basic needs of the individual. By acting on this chakra, cinnabar stone promotes vital energy, emotional balance and self-confidence, while helPing to eliminate energy blockages.

WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH CINABER?

Cinnabar is not associated with any particular astrological sign. In astrology, each sign is usually associated with a gemstone or crystal, but cinnabar is not one of them. Rather, cinnabar is a mineral substance composed of mercury and sulfur, which is often used in alchemy and traditional Chinese medicine.

CINABER STONE SUMMARY

Cinabar stone is a bright red stone composed of mercury sulfide, which is mainly used in lithotherapy for its energetic properties. It is believed that cinnabar stone can stimulate creativity, improve self-confidence and increase physical energy. However, due to mercury’s toxicity, it is important not to use this stone as a healing stone in direct contact with the skin, or to use it internally. It’s also important to handle this stone with care and keep it out of the reach of children and pets.