朱砂

Mineral Characteristics 矿物特性

Cinnabar is a mercury sulfide mineral known for its vivid red color and crystalline form. It is the primary ore of mercury and is often found in hydrothermal veins associated with volcanic activity. With a Mohs hardness of 2–2.5, cinnabar is relatively soft and brittle, making it suitable mostly for carved ornaments, beads, and decorative items rather than daily-wear jewelry.
朱砂是一种硫化汞矿物，以鲜艳的红色和晶体形态著称。它是汞的主要矿石，常产于与火山活动相关的热液脉中。莫氏硬度约为 2–2.5，相对柔软且脆，不适合日常佩戴饰品，主要用于雕刻装饰品、珠子和工艺品。

Appearance & Aesthetic 外观与美学

Cinnabar is admired for its bright red to scarlet color, often forming granular, botryoidal, or massive crystal structures. Its rich hue and natural luster make it highly striking, with a warm, earthy beauty that has been treasured for centuries.
朱砂因其鲜红到猩红色而受到喜爱，常呈颗粒状、葡萄状或块状晶体。其浓烈的色彩和天然光泽赋予其独特的温暖与自然之美，数百年来一直备受珍视。

Meaning & Symbolism 寓意与象征

Cinnabar has historically been associated with vitality, protection, and transformation. In many cultures, it symbolizes life force, courage, and the power to drive away negative influences, reflecting both spiritual and physical energy.
朱砂自古以来与生命力、保护和转化相关联。在许多文化中，它象征活力、勇气以及驱散负能量的能力，体现灵性与身体的双重能量。

Healing Properties & Benefits 疗愈功效与好处

Cinnabar is believed to support emotional balance, enhance vitality, and encourage confidence and courage. Spiritually, it is said to stimulate transformation and protection. Traditionally, it was sometimes used in folk medicine for its supposed energizing properties, though modern handling requires caution due to its mercury content.
朱砂被认为有助于情绪平衡，提升活力，并增强自信与勇气。在灵性层面，它据说能促进转化和保护。传统上，它曾在民间医学中被用作活力石，但现代使用需谨慎，因为含有汞成分。

Cultural & Historical Significance 文化与历史意义

Cinnabar has been treasured since ancient times for carvings, jewelry, and pigments. In Chinese culture, it was highly valued for its bright red color and symbolic association with immortality and protection. It has also been used historically in Europe and the Americas for pigments and decorative objects.
朱砂自古以来因其可用于雕刻、珠宝和颜料而备受珍视。在中国文化中，它以鲜艳的红色和象征长生与护身的寓意而受到高度重视。在欧洲和美洲，朱砂也曾被用作颜料和装饰材料。

Usage, Safety & Care 使用、安全与保养

Most cinnabar jewelry and decorative items are processed for safety and durability. Natural cinnabar is soft and contains mercury, so direct grinding or wearing raw mineral poses risks. To make it suitable for daily use, it is commonly stabilized by high-temperature solidification, resin coating, or composite material processing, which enhances hardness, prevents breakage, and reduces direct mercury exposure.

Processed cinnabar products should not be ground into powder or ingested, but when used as jewelry or display pieces, they are generally safe. Store separately to avoid scratches, clean gently with a soft cloth and mild soap, and avoid high heat or prolonged sunlight exposure.

市场上的朱砂饰品和摆件大多经过安全与耐用性处理。天然朱砂质地柔软且含汞，直接研磨或佩戴存在风险。为了适合日常使用，通常采用 高温固化、树脂封胶或复合材料加工，既能增强硬度、防止碎裂，又可降低汞的直接接触风险。

加工后的朱砂不可研磨成粉或食用，但作为饰品或摆件使用，一般是安全的。建议单独存放以防刮花，清洁时使用软布和温和肥皂水，避免高温或长时间日晒。