Vermilion vs. Cinnabar — What's the Difference?

A brilliant red or scarlet pigment made from mercury sulfide.

A mineral composed of mercury sulfide, known for its vibrant red color.

Manufactured by combining sulfur and mercury.

Carved into ornaments and jewelry.

Commonly used in paintings for its vivid red color.

Found in areas with volcanic activity and hot springs.

Symbolizes life and eternity in some cultures.

Historically used in traditional medicine.

Contains mercury, making it toxic to use without precautions.

High mercury content poses environmental and health risks.

Vermilion (sometimes spelled vermillion) is both a brilliant red or scarlet pigment, originally made from the powdered mineral cinnabar, and the corresponding color. It is commonly used in Hindu culture, primarily by women, and was widely used in the art and decoration of Ancient Rome, in the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages, in the paintings of the Renaissance, and in the art and lacquerware of China.

Cinnabar () or cinnabarite (), from the Ancient Greek: κιννάβαρι (kinnabari), is the bright scarlet to brick-red form of mercury(II) sulfide (HgS). It is the most common source ore for refining elemental mercury, and is the historic source for the brilliant red or scarlet pigment termed vermilion and associated red mercury pigments.

A brilliant red pigment made from mercury sulphide (cinnabar).

A heavy reddish mercuric sulfide, HgS, that is the principal ore of mercury.

A vivid red to reddish orange. Also called Chinese red, cinnabar.

See mercuric sulfide.

See mercuric sulfide.

See vermilion.

Of a vivid red to reddish orange.

A deep red mineral, mercuric sulfide, HgS; the principal ore of mercury; such ore used as the pigment vermilion.

To color or dye (something) in the hue vermilion.

A bright red colour tinted with orange.

A vivid red synthetic pigment made of mercury sulfide, cinnabar.

(countable) A species of moth, Tyria jacobaeae, having red patches on its predominantly black wings.

A bright orange-red colour.

The Elixir of Life.

A type of red dye worn in the parting of the hair by married Hindu women.

Of a bright red colour tinted with orange.

The red skin of the lips or its border with the skin of the face.

Red sulphide of mercury, occurring in brilliant red crystals, and also in red or brown amorphous masses. It is used in medicine.

(obsolete) The kermes or cochineal insect.

The artificial red sulphide of mercury used as a pigment; vermilion.

(obsolete) The cochineal dye made from this insect.

A heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulfide; the chief source of mercury

Having a brilliant red colour.

Large red-and-black European moth; larvae feed on leaves of ragwort; introduced into United States to control ragwort

Having the color of the vermilion dye.

Of a vivid red to reddish-orange color

(transitive) To color or paint vermilion.

A bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulphide, obtained either from the mineral cinnabar or artificially. It has a fine red color, and is much used in coloring sealing wax, in printing, etc.

Hence, a red color like the pigment; a lively and brilliant red; as, cheeks of vermilion.

To color with vermilion, or as if with vermilion; to dye red; to cover with a delicate red.

A variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

Color vermilion

Of a vivid red to reddish-orange color

Vermilion is used as a pigment in art and decorations for its vivid red color.

Cinnabar is the natural mineral form of mercury sulfide, while vermilion is the synthetic pigment form.

Both contain mercury, making them toxic and unsafe to handle without precautions.

Yes, both have been used in various cultures for artistic, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.

Yes, primarily for mercury extraction, but its use as a pigment is less common.

Vermilion is synthesized from mercury and sulfur, whereas cinnabar occurs naturally.

Vermilion is used in restoration and artistic projects, while cinnabar is valued in jewelry and collectibles.

Its mercury content poses significant health and environmental risks.

While both offer a red pigment, their properties and safety concerns differ, making them not fully interchangeable.

Yes, cinnabar has been historically used as a pigment in art, though its use has declined due to toxicity concerns.

Its bright red color offered artists a vivid hue that symbolized life and passion.

Civilizations such as the Chinese, Mayans, and Romans used cinnabar for various purposes.

Yes, due to its toxicity, safer alternatives have largely replaced it.

Modern pigments and dyes offer non-toxic red hues, reducing the reliance on these materials.

Its vibrant red color and rarity make it a prized material for decorative items.