Cinnabar

(sin - uh - bahr)
Main Origins:
Mexico, the USA, China, Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, India, Philippines, Malaysia, France, The UK, South Africa, Mozambique, Romania, Bolivia, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

What is Cinnabar?

Cinnabar crystal on the bowl

Disclaimer: Cinnabar contains Mercury Sulfide, an extremely toxic metal.

Cinnabar is a naturally occurring mineral with a vibrant red hue that catches the eye. This striking color is caused by the presence of mercury sulfide, the chemical composition of Cinnabar. It is also known for its distinct physical characteristics, including its remarkable crystal formations and high density.

Throughout history, people have utilized Cinnabar for diverse applications. The Ancient Chinese used it as a pigment in their artwork and believed it had healing properties. The mineral has also been used for decorative purposes in jewelry and even in Ancient Mayan burial ceremonies.

Did you know that Cinnabar has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine? It was believed to have many healing properties, including promoting circulation and boosting the immune system. Using it is controversial, however, due to its high mercury content. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using Cinnabar for medicinal purposes.

Cinnabar Metaphysical Properties and Benefits

Cinnabar has powerful metaphysical properties and benefits, making it a highly sought-after stone for energy work. Its fiery red color is associated with passion, vitality, and creativity. This vibrant hue is believed to help boost self-confidence and promote a positive attitude.

The Root Chakra is the primary chakra associated with Cinnabar, as it is believed to help ground and stabilize energy. The Sacral Chakra is also commonly associated with this crystal due to its ability to stimulate the flow of creative energy.

Cinnabar is connected to the ruling element of Fire, which is associated with passion, transformation, and creativity. It is also ruled by the planet Mercury, which governs communication and mental clarity. In feng shui, Cinnabar is deeply connected with the home’s North sector, representing career and life path.

Cinnabar is governed by several gods, including Oya, Hathor, Aphrodite, and Coatlicue. These gods are associated with love, fertility, and creativity, making it a popular stone for those seeking to enhance these areas of their lives. 

The numerical vibration of Cinnabar is 8, associated with abundance, success, and manifestation. This makes Cinnabar an excellent choice for those looking to manifest their goals and desires into reality.

Cinnabar Healing Properties and Benefits

Strength and Energy

  • Cinnabar’s fiery red color is associated with passion, vitality, and energy. Cinnabar is thought to enhance physical strength and endurance, making it a great choice for athletes and active individuals. Cinnabar is also associated with the Root Chakra, responsible for grounding and stabilizing energy. 
  • To use it for strength and energy, you can carry it in your pocket, especially during physical activities. Note that it is not advisable to be around it, especially in a heated place.

Courage and Resilience

  • One of Cinnabar’s benefits is promoting courage and resilience, helping to overcome obstacles and challenges. Its vibrant red color is associated with courage, while its grounding properties help to provide stability and support during difficult times. 
  • Meditate with it, or place it on your desk or in your home to promote a sense of strength and stability. 

Detox and Health

  • Cinnabar is valued for its ability to detoxify the body. It also has grounding properties that promote overall health and well-being. This property comes from its association with the Root Chakra, which is responsible for physical health and vitality. 
  • It is best to use it during therapy once in a while to help detoxify the body. 

Fertility

  • Cinnabar is historically known to promote fertility and sexual vitality. It is ruled by some prominent gods, including Oya, Hathor, Aphrodite, and Coatlicue, all of whom are associated with love and fertility. Cinnabar is also related to the Sacral Chakra, which is responsible for sexual energy and creativity. 
  • You can place it in your bedroom to enhance the energy in the space and promote fertility. 

Mental Clarity

  • Cinnabar is believed to promote mental clarity and focus. Its association with the planet Mercury, which governs communication and cognitive processes, makes it an excellent choice for those seeking to enhance their mental abilities. 
  • You can meditate with it or place it on your desk or workspace to use it for this purpose.

Cinnabar Spiritual Properties and Benefits

A woman is meditating near the lake

Grounding

  • Cinnabar is an excellent stone for grounding, which makes it perfect for those who feel ungrounded or disconnected. Its association with the Root Chakra helps us connect with the Earth’s energy and feel more grounded and centered.
  • Hold it or place it on your Root Chakra during meditation. You can also carry it as a tumbled stone but only on certain occasions.

Manifestation

  • This crystal has powerful manifestation energy that can help attract abundance and success into your life. It resonates with the numerical vibration of 8, which is associated with abundance and prosperity, and attracts wealth.
  • You can place a small piece of Cinnabar under your pillow to make it a catalyst for your manifestations. Its energy can also help improve the quality of your sleep and reduce stress levels.

Creativity

  • The Sacral Chakra is the energy center that governs our creativity, passion, and sexuality. Working with Cinnabar’s properties allows you to tap into the Sacral Chakra, thereby unleashing your inner artist through it.
  • Place it on your Sacral Chakra during meditation. You can also carry it to keep your creative juices flowing.

Passion

  • Cinnabar is known for its passionate and fiery energy, which is associated with the red color energy. It can help you tap into your desires and fuel your passion for life.
  • Consider working with it during the moments you find yourself centered. This way, it can amplify your energy for passion. 

Self-Confidence

  • This crystal is known to help boost self-confidence and self-esteem. This property of Cinnabar is vital for achieving your goals and pursuing your dreams. Working with Cinnabar allows you to connect with your inner strength and feel more empowered.
  • Meditate with it and visualize yourself as strong, capable, and confidence. Another option is to keep it in a cool and visible spot in your living space as a reminder of your inner strength.

Cinnabar Side Effects

  • Weariness: Prolonged use of Cinnabar may lead to tiredness. To avoid this, limit the usage and keep the stone at a distance.
  • Misunderstandings: Cinnabar’s intense energies can cause misunderstandings between people. Be mindful of its effects and use it wisely.
  • Insomnia: Cinnabar can also disrupt sleep patterns, causing insomnia. Avoid using it at night or near bedtime.
  • Horoscopic Issues: According to Chinese astrology, Cinnabar is unsuitable for some zodiac signs. If you want to work with this stone, seek expert advice before using it.

Cinnabar Meaning: What Does Cinnabar Symbolize?

Cinnabar symbolizes “Transformation.”

The name Cinnabar originates from the Persian word “zanjifrah,” meaning “dragon’s blood,” and the Sanskrit word “shankhini,” meaning “red dye.”

Cinnabar also goes by alternative names, such as Dragon’s Blood Stone, Red Cinnabar, and China Red Stone, which are derived from the mineral’s distinctive bright red color.

In traditional Chinese culture, Cinnabar was often used to create ornate lacquerware and was associated with the imperial court. In modern times, Cinnabar is valued for its use in traditional medicines and as a pigment in art.

Cinnabar comes in different variations, including powdered and crystalline forms, and is often used for healing purposes and spiritual practices.

Did you know that Cinnabar ore was used in ancient times for Egyptian tombs as a red pigment? The mineral was believed to protect and guide the deceased in the afterlife.

Types of Cinnabar

  • Common Cinnabar: A bright red mineral with a lustrous shine, it is known for its striking appearance and association with wealth and power.
  • Native Cinnabar: A naturally occurring form of Cinnabar usually found in deposits. This stone is revered for its spiritual properties and healing abilities.
  • Metacinnabar: A dark stone, usually found in rocks formed during volcanic activities and prized for its deep color and unique patterns. This volcanic rock is known for its ability to increase concentration and clarity.
  • Hypercinnabar: A rare and highly sought-after variety, it’s known for its intense red hue and potent energy. This crystal is used for enhancing energy and strength.
  • Cinnabar Stalactite: A stunning formation of Cinnabar crystals, this stone is often found in caves and prized for its natural beauty and rarity. Use it mainly for protection.
  • Black Cinnabar: A usually dark stone, often associated with protection and grounding energy, as well as physical strength and stamina.
  • Scarlet Cinnabar: A vivid red variety known for its energizing properties and ability to boost motivation and drive.
  • Purple Cinnabite: A unique stone characterized by its white background and pink spots. It is said to enhance intuition and psychic abilities.
  • White Cinnabar: A rare and highly prized variety known for its purity and association with spiritual enlightenment and higher consciousness.
  • Brown Cinnabar: A deep brown stone often associated with stability, grounding, and practicality, as well as protection from negative energies.
  • Blue Cinnabar: This rare type of Cinnabar displays beautiful blue color and is highly sought after by collectors. It enhances communication and creativity.
  • Gold Cinnabar: A stone with golden metallic flecks, it has powerful transformative properties and is often used in feng shui practices. 
  • Silver Cinnabar: A type of Cinnabar with a silver hue, this stone is associated with lunar energies and is used for spiritual purification. 
  • Green Cinnabar: This stone displays a calming greenish tint. It promotes balance and harmony in the body and mind.
  • Singaporean Cinnabar: This stone is known for its rich red color and is often used in traditional Chinese medicine for its healing properties. Its benefits include improving circulation and stimulating the immune system.
  • Cinnabar with Carbonatite: This unique combination results in a mottled appearance of red and white. It is excellent for enhancing focus and mental clarity.
  • Cinnabar with Pyrite: This striking stone displays a metallic appearance and is often used for its grounding and protective properties. 
  • Cinnabar Opal or Myrickite: This stone is named for its Opal-like appearance, with a red-orange hue and iridescent shimmer. It enhances intuition and psychic abilities.
  • Cinnabar on Calcite: This type of Cinnabar is found in crystal formations with white Calcite. Its properties include promoting emotional balance and harmony.
  • Cinnabar with Realgar: This stone is mixed with Realgar, a mineral with a bright orange-red color. This stone is best for enhancing courage and confidence.
  • Cinnabar with Stibnite: This stunning crystal displays a metallic bluish-gray appearance due to the presence of Stibnite. It provides a sense of protection and strength.
  • Cinnabar with Siderite: This type of Cinnabar is often found in combination with Siderite, a mineral with a brown color. It provides grounding and stability.
  • Cinnabar with Hematite: This stone is in combination with Hematite, a mineral with a metallic sheen. It enhances physical energy and vitality.
  • Cinnabar in Quartz: Cinnabar inclusions in Clear Quartz crystal, known as “Cinnabar Quartz,” creates a stunning contrast between the bright red and clear crystal. It is used to enhance mental clarity and creativity.
  • Cinnabar with Chalcedony: Cinnabar with Blue Chalcedony is an excellent grounding stone, bringing emotional balance and stability.
  • Cinnabar with Marcasite: Cinnabar with Marcasite forms a unique and beautiful mineral that is both grounding and protective, and it helps release negative energy.
  • Cinnabar with Fluorite: The combination of Cinnabar with Fluorite creates a striking contrast of red and purple, promoting spiritual awareness and mental clarity.
  • Cinnabar on Dolomite: Cinnabar on Dolomite creates a beautiful contrast of bright red and white and enhances emotional balance and stability.
  • Cinnabar on Barite: The combination of Cinnabar on Barite enhances creativity, passion, and personal power.
  • Corallinerz: Coralline Cinnabar, or “Corallinerz,” is a rare type of Cinnabar that forms in a coral-like structure, symbolizing resilience and adaptability. It enhances physical strength and vitality.
  • Yellow Cinnabar: A rare type of Cinnabar with a yellow hue, often associated with Ancient Chinese alchemy and believed to have healing properties.

How To Cleanse Cinnabar?

A burned white sage beside a selenite wand

  • Selenite Wand: Use a Selenite wand while reciting positive affirmations, like “I release all negative energy and welcome in positive vibrations to nourish my mind, body, and spirit” to clear any negative energy.
  • Sage: Sage smudging is a popular way to cleanse Cinnabar. Simply light the sage, let it smoke, and pass the stone through the smoke.
  • Seed Mantra: Place the Cinnabar under the Full Moon, and recite a seed mantra to infuse it with positive energy.

Questions and Answers

What type of stone is Cinnabar?

Cinnabar is a mineral and a form of mercury ore.

Is Cinnabar toxic to the touch?

Yes, Cinnabar is toxic to the touch and should not be handled or ingested.

Who can wear Cinnabar?

People who are drawn to Cinnabar’s energy can wear it, but it is not recommended for children or pregnant women due to its mercury content.

Does Cinnabar contain gold?

Cinnabar does not contain gold but is sometimes found in mining areas.

Is Cinnabar safe in the sun?

Cinnabar is safe in the sun, but it is recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat to prevent undergoing a chemical transformation from mercuric sulfide to elemental mercury. This transformation occurs because the heat breaks the chemical bond between mercury and sulfur atoms, releasing elemental mercury gas.

It’s crucial to remember that being exposed to mercury gas is harmful to human health.

How can you tell if Cinnabar is real?

Genuine Cinnabar has a bright red color, is heavy, and has a waxy luster. One can also conduct a streak test with a porcelain tile.

What crystals to pair with Cinnabar?

Cinnabar can be paired with crystals such as Pyrite, Clear Quartz, and Black Tourmaline for grounding and protection.

How do you take care of Cinnabars?

Cinnabar should be stored in a cool, dry place and wrapped in a soft cloth or tissue to prevent scratches. It can be physically cleaned with a soft cloth or brush and mild soap.

Is Cinnabar expensive?

Cinnabar’s value is determined by its size, rarity, and quality. Its prices may vary from $10 to a few hundred dollars per gram.

Can Cinnabar be worn as jewelry?

Cinnabar can be worn as jewelry, but it should not be worn against the skin for prolonged periods due to its toxic nature.

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