There is a Japanese folktale about two brothers who go out to gather cinnabar every day from a pond. The cruel younger brother decides he wants to keep all the valuable cinnabar to himself. He constructs a fake dragon from lacquered bowls to scare his elder brother away from the pond.
However, one day as he goes to collect cinnabar again, the dragon comes to life and swallows him.
There is an Oroqen folktale about a hero named Silteken, who goes out to avenge his father's death on a 100-eyed monster. He loses the first fight and dies.
However, his clever horse goes on a quest to kidnap a (willing) princess from her wedding along with her dowry of cinnabar, which can be used to bring the dead back to life.
Revived with cinnabar by his beloved, Silteken defeats the monster.
Cinnabar in Chinese folklore was associated with the Vermilion Bird of the South, and one of the main ingredients of immortality pills in Chinese alchemy (ironically, since it's toxic, and if you eat it you'll get the opposite of immortal...)
As for quartz, here is a Mansi legend about the origin of rock crystals in the Urals. It tells of a chief who built a tower of clear crystal, which a horde of giants shattered, trying to kidnap the chief's daughter. With the help of spirits, the attackers were turned into pillars of stone.
Dieing ain't necessarily the end of it. Chose your horse wisely. Have highly disruptive lovers. If you're dead already mercury poisoning is nothing to worry about.
I believe that part. All the young princesses I have consulted, if a horse told them he needs them to help with a quest, they’d be off in an instant. No matter how many chores they have to neglect!
It's described as a "treasure horse", with "a long mane, bright body, nimble feet, and was extraordinarily strong." Also, it shoots dung at the enemy and breaks their legs.
Hmmm. I bet that's a palomino. Gold-ish fur is often called shining. Or a gray. Oh well, the reddish brown of chestnut works much better with Cinnabar.
Dr. Zalka Csenge Virág •
The cruel younger brother decides he wants to keep all the valuable cinnabar to himself. He constructs a fake dragon from lacquered bowls to scare his elder brother away from the pond.
However, one day as he goes to collect cinnabar again, the dragon comes to life and swallows him.
#folktales #cinnabar #MinCup23
Dr. Zalka Csenge Virág •
However, his clever horse goes on a quest to kidnap a (willing) princess from her wedding along with her dowry of cinnabar, which can be used to bring the dead back to life.
Revived with cinnabar by his beloved, Silteken defeats the monster.
#folktales #folklore #cinnabar #MinCup23
Dr. Zalka Csenge Virág •
#folklore #cinnabar #MinCup23
Ray McCarthy •
Dr. Zalka Csenge Virág •
I blogged about the story here
https://multicoloreddiary.blogspot.com/2022/04/q-is-for-quartz-crystals-gemstone.html?m=1
#folklore #folktales #MinCup23 #quartz
gabriele renzi •
IIRC mercury was popular in European alchemy too, and Newton famously had mercury poisoning.
skua •
Dieing ain't necessarily the end of it.
Chose your horse wisely.
Have highly disruptive lovers.
If you're dead already mercury poisoning is nothing to worry about.
Lydia Schoch •
Dr. Zalka Csenge Virág •
Virginicus •
Alex Haist •
Dr. Zalka Csenge Virág •
Alex Haist •
Alex Haist •
Space Burger Steve 🌌🍔🤪 •
Dr. Zalka Csenge Virág •
Julia Semprich •