New Chinese cinnabar with longevity symbol and stylized dragon
In Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it. During the days of Imperial China, the was used to represent the emperor.
Real cinnabar comes from mercury bearing ore and has been used for hundreds of years as a pigment for coloring various substances, especially lacquer. Cinnabar products including beads used to be made of wood covered by many coats of this red lacquer, which was then carved with floral, geometric designs or auspicious symbols.
Both because of the health dangers of mercury and the high cost of the lacquering and carving process, today’s cinnabar beads are made from a substance like polymer clay.
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