Tea Pet

Tea Pets: The Lively Elves in Tea Culture

Amid the fragrant tea, some tiny, cute, and chubby little fellows silently accompany us. They are the adornments on the tea table. For those with some basic knowledge, you may still have many curiosities and questions. Let me lift this mysterious veil and help you fully appreciate their charm.

1. The Definition and Origin

As the name suggests, these adornments originated from the long-standing tea culture in China. Initially, they were minor items placed by tea lovers during tea tasting to add fun. Over time, they gradually became an indispensable part of tea culture. They add vitality to the tea table and contain rich cultural connotations.

Imagine in the tea gatherings of ancient scholars and refined scholars, a delicate one accompanied quietly, witnessing their beautiful moments of chatting about life and discussing tea and philosophy. Nowadays, they still exude their unique charm on our tea tables.

2. Common Materials

The materials are diverse. Common ones include Purple clay, ceramics, and resin.

Purple clay ones have a fine texture and good breathability. They will become increasingly warm and lustrous over time. 

Ceramic ones are colorful and have diverse shapes. For example, this colorful pixiu has exquisite patterns and a smooth surface, which makes people love it at first sight.

Resin ones are relatively lightweight, and the prices are more affordable. Moreover, the resin material can create more complex and unique shapes.

In terms of appearance, Purple clay is simple and elegant, ceramics are colorful and vivid, and resin is novel and unique, each with its merits. In terms of texture, Purple clay is thick, ceramics are smooth, and resin is lightweight, giving people different feelings. In terms of maintenance, Purple clay needs to avoid oily dirt, ceramics need to prevent bumping, and resin needs to avoid direct sunlight.

3. Shapes and Meanings

The shapes are rich and diverse, each with a unique cultural meaning.

The golden toad usually holds money in its mouth, symbolizing attracting wealth and treasures. Its bulging belly is filled with wealth and good luck.

The pixiu is said to be able to swallow everything without discharging, meaning attracting wealth and warding off evil. Its robust appearance makes people feel full of strength and protection.

Maitreya Buddha is always smiling, representing tolerance and happiness. Looking at it instantly makes one cheerful.

There are also cute little monkeys, lively carp, etc. Each shape carries people's yearning and blessings for a better life.

4. Production Techniques

The production techniques are also excellent, divided into handmade and machine-made.

Handmade ones condense the efforts and wisdom of artisans. Every carving and every touch of painting is full of emotion and warmth. For example, this hand-carved Maitreya Buddha, with its delicate lines and vivid expressions, shows the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisan.

Machine-made ones are more regular and uniform but also exquisite.

Unique production techniques such as exquisite carvings can make them lifelike, and delicate paintings can add brilliant colors.

5. The Method of Raising

Raising them is exciting, but patience matters. We can gently pour tea water on them to let them slowly absorb the fragrance and charm of the tea.

Use moderately warm tea water for purple clay ones to avoid sudden hot and cold. Ceramic ones have relatively lower requirements for the tea water temperature but must be wiped in time to keep them clean.

As time passes, you will find that they become increasingly warm, and their luster becomes more charming, as if they have been given life.

6. Placement and Feng Shui

There are also some particularities in the placement of feng shui. For example, for the golden toad, the head should face indoors, meaning spitting out wealth; for the pixiu, the head should face outdoors, symbolizing absorbing wealth.

Of course, the feng shui theory is more of a traditional cultural belief. We can place them according to our preferences and moods to add a fantastic atmosphere to our tea table.

7. Collection Value

Some have a high collection value, such as handmade by famous masters or styles with particular historical significance and cultural value.

The material's rarity, the production technique's exquisiteness, and the shape's uniqueness all affect their collection value.

8. Market Price Range

The prices vary due to materials, techniques, and brands. Generally speaking, ordinary resin can be bought for several tens of dollars, while high-quality purple clay may cost several hundred or even thousands of yuan.

If it is a limited edition or a masterpiece by a master, the price may be even higher. However, no matter how high or low the price is, choosing one you like is the most important.

9. Integration with Tea Culture

Integrating them with tea culture is a natural and wonderful experience. During peaceful tea-tasting times, they accompany us quietly. Their existence makes the whole atmosphere more warm and pleasant.

When we savor the tea fragrance and admire its cute appearance, our hearts will also become more peaceful and joyful. In tea culture, tea is not just an item but also a spiritual companion.

This can help you gain a deeper understanding and love for them. May you find that little companion among the numerous ones that resonate with your heart and accompany you through every beautiful tea-tasting moment.

We enjoy tea in various ways, like gongfu tea, western-style brewed tea, and pu erh tea. The tea ceremony adds to the charm with its gong dao bei, sharing pitchers, and gongfu brewing. Skilled tea masters use tea sets, including tea cups, gongfu cups, and trays, to brew the perfect cup—the amount of tea and the quality of hot water matter. White teas and other varieties offer diverse tastes for tea enthusiasts. During tea time, we share and savor the brewed tea.