Essence of red Mercuric sulfide hues Gloriously bright With a propensity to darken Throw aside crushed brick pretenders

The colour of fire and blood Love and hate Creation, destruction, hunger Nothing better for us, lover So paint it red

~Excerpt from 'Vermillion' by Eli Snow

Sindoor is a traditional vermillion powder from the Indian subcontinent, usually worn by married women along the part of their hair and/or as a dot on their forehead.In Hindu communities the use of sindoor indicates a woman is married and ceasing to wear it usually implies widowhood.The main component of traditional sindoor is usually cinnabar (mercury sulfide, a toxic mineral), turmeric and lime. (From Wikipedia)