How was cinnabar used as a red pigment in history?

Cinnabar, which is the primary mercury sulfide ore (HgS), has been utilized throughout history as a pigment due to its striking red color.12

Its application as a coloring agent is well-documented, though its use often carried significant health risks. For example, in the 19th century, some American Indians in California experienced mercury poisoning, which was attributed to the use of cinnabar in war paint.2

It is important to note that while the term "cinnabar" is historically associated with this red pigment, the name has also been applied to unrelated substances in other contexts. For instance, "cinnabar green" refers to a mixture of Prussian blue and chrome yellow, and "antimony cinnabar" is a name sometimes used for antimony vermilion, a pigment made from antimony compounds. These uses are distinct from the mineral cinnabar itself, which remains the historical source of the vibrant red pigment derived from mercury ore.34512