ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Chinese pigments

Ok kiddo, let me tell you all about Chinese pigments in a way that's easy for you to understand!

Pigments are what make colors. They are like tiny little particles that give color to things like paint, ink, and markers. China has been making pigments for hundreds of years and they have some really cool ones that are different from what we have in other parts of the world.

One of the oldest pigments from China is called Han blue. It was created over 2,000 years ago and was used to paint pottery and even in some wall paintings. It's a really pretty blue color and was made using a special mineral called azurite that was ground up into a powder.

Another pigment from China is cinnabar. It's a bright red color and was made by grinding up a mineral called mercury sulfide. It was often used to paint furniture and other decorative things.

Chinese pigments were often made from natural materials like minerals, plants, and even insects. For example, a really pretty green pigment called malachite was made from grinding up a mineral found in copper mines. And an orange pigment called gamboge was made from the sap of a tree that grows in Southeast Asia.

So you see, Chinese pigments are really special because of the unique materials they were made from and the long history behind them. With all these cool pigments, it's no wonder Chinese art is so beautiful!
Related topics others have asked about: