China red or Chinese red is a name for the pigment also known as cinnabar or vermilion. The pure form is HgS, mercury sulfide. As mined, the color of cinnabar is variable, and the name China red is used for colors ranging from cinnamon to brick to scarlet. Cinnabar pigment is the traditional red pigment of Chinese art. Chinese name chops are printed with a red cinnabar paste, and cinnabar is the pigment used in Chinese red lacquer. Cinnabar also has significance in Taoist culture, and was regarded as the color of life and eternity.
China red has a special significance in hacker culture. The documentation for Digital's VMS version 4 came in memorable, distinctively-colored orangish-red ring binders, and China red was Digital's official name for this color.