Looking for Chinese red: Materia medica trade along the silk road and development of Chinese red dyestuff

Abstract

In thousands of years from the Pre-Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, crimson represents sacredness and good fortune in several dynasties and is honored in the hierarchy of colors. Meanwhile, introduction to the exotic Materia Medica for dyeing from the Silk Road trade greatly expands the dyeing category of red color. The exotic red dyestuff is eventually integrated into the red culture of the Central Plains through the localization process. Therefore, it becomes the color symbol on behalf of Chinese nation.

Keywords

• materia medica trade
• red dyestuff
• silk road