Tea Pets: The Enchanting Sprites on the Tea Table and the Charming Vessels of Traditional Culture
By Caesar DD
Apr 14, 2025
109
In the bustling and noisy modern life, we are always seeking a peaceful corner to let our souls rest for a while. On that small tea table, apart from the fragrant tea and exquisite tea sets, there is a group of "little sprites" that accompany us silently - tea pets. With their unique charm, they add endless fun and cultural connotations to our tea-tasting time.
I. The Origin and Development of Tea Pets
The history of tea pets can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, with a long and profound heritage. The earliest tea pets were products modeled after Lu Yu, who was hailed as the "Sage of Tea." In the more than a hundred years after Lu Yu, potters made small porcelain figures named "Lu Hongjian" and gave them to merchants who purchased tea utensils. During the Song Dynasty, tea sellers placed the image of Lu Yu in the kitchen where tea water was boiled and worshipped him as the God of Tea.
During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, with the transformation of tea-drinking rituals and the rise of purple clay teapots, purple clay tea pets became a highly respected new variety. After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, tea pets became even more diverse, and the craftsmanship became more and more exquisite. They integrated techniques such as seal carving and the thoughts of Buddhism and Taoism, becoming an essential part of tea culture. Today, with the improvement of people's living standards and the pursuit of quality of life, tea pets have developed rapidly and become elegant cultural playthings on the desks of tea enthusiasts.
II. The Classification and Symbolic Meanings of Tea Pets
Tea pets come in a wide variety of types, each carrying rich symbolic meanings, which can be roughly classified into the following categories:
Traditional Mythological Figures Type: Tea pets in the shapes of Guanyin Bodhisattva or Maitreya Bodhisattva can add a touch of Zen charm and symbolize peace and blessings. Maitreya Buddha, with his amiable and rotund appearance, represents good luck, happiness, and longevity, allowing tea lovers to feel inner peace and harmony while tasting tea.
Ancient Mythical Beasts Type: The Pixiu is said to be the ninth son of the dragon, known for only taking in but never giving out, symbolizing attracting wealth and protecting the household. The golden toad, with its three legs, is regarded as an auspicious beast for wealth. For the golden toad with a coin in its mouth, the coin on its mouth can be rotated, and it has a homophonic meaning of "making money." The tortoise and the dragon represent longevity.
Zodiac Animals Type: Zodiac tea pets are quite popular. People can choose tea pets of their own zodiac signs or give them as birthday gifts, which is both interesting and elegant. Each zodiac animal has its unique symbolic meaning, representing personalization and being the crystallization of traditional Chinese culture.
Other Symbolic Meanings Type: The tea pet in the shape of a Chinese cabbage has a homophonic meaning of "displaying wealth," symbolizing the continuous flow of wealth and expressing people's beautiful aspirations for wealth. Elephants are good at absorbing water, and since water represents wealth, and elephants are known for their gentle and peaceful nature, they symbolize good luck. There is also a tea pet in the shape of a single foot with a spider on it, representing "contentment brings happiness," symbolizing people's satisfaction with life and their cherishing of the present moment.
III. The Manufacturing Process of Tea Pets
The manufacturing processes of tea pets are diverse, and tea pets made from different materials have their own unique manufacturing characteristics:
Purple Clay Tea Pets: Purple clay is the main raw material for making purple clay tea pets, which can be divided into major categories such as purple clay, Ben Shan green clay, and red clay. After firing, purple clay presents a purple, purple-brown, or dark purple appearance. Ben Shan green clay turns into a beige color after firing, and the raw ore of red clay is yellow or red, turning into a dark red color after firing. Purple clay tea pets have good air permeability and can absorb the aroma in the tea soup. As time goes by, they will become more moist and shiny.
Ru Porcelain Tea Pets: The firing technique of Ru porcelain is a national intangible cultural heritage. Ru porcelain tea pets, with their unique appearance and elegant and serene glaze color, showcase a unique Chinese charm of dignity, refinement, harmony between form and spirit, and natural harmony. Ru porcelain is fired entirely with trace mineral elements mainly containing iron from natural ores. Natural agate ores are added to the glaze, and natural kaolin and Fengxue soil are selected as the raw materials for the plain body. After undergoing high-temperature firing, the glaze surface will form an underglaze crackle similar to ice cracks. Under the moistening of the tea soup, with long-term use, a pattern of golden silk and iron wire will be formed.
Resin Tea Pets: Resin tea pets are mostly temperature-sensitive color-changing tea pets, with their surfaces using polymer temperature-sensitive color-changing materials. For example, the "Lychee Color-Changing Tea Pet" created by students from Huashang College, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics. When hot water is poured over it, the green leaves, bright red fruit shells, and tender white pulp will appear, presenting a very lifelike visual effect.
IV. The Maintenance and Playing of Tea Pets
Maintaining tea pets requires patience and carefulness. Firstly, to nourish tea pets, hot tea soup should be used instead of plain boiled water because tea soup allows tea pets to better absorb nutrients and gradually become moist, lovely, and full of tea aroma. When watering a new tea pet for the first time, in order to prevent it from cracking due to heat, warm tea soup should be used. During the maintenance process, a teapot brush or a writing brush can be used to gently wipe the tea pet with tea soup, and the surface of the tea pet should be rubbed with a clean towel regularly to keep it clean and avoid the accumulation of dirt from residual tea soup.
There are also certain considerations when playing with tea pets. Attention should be paid to the force applied to avoid collisions and drops. Slowly playing with the tea pet in the palm of the hand can not only make the tea pet more shiny but also, for mental workers, regulate the central nervous system of the brain, playing a role in enhancing brainpower, improving memory, and enhancing thinking ability. In addition, there are some common understandings regarding the placement of tea pets. For example, zodiac tea pets should avoid conflicting with the owner's zodiac sign. The back of the Maitreya Buddha tea pet should face the owner, and the face should face the guests. The golden toad with coins in its mouth should face the owner, meaning that wealth will not flow out.
V. The Significance of Tea Pets in Modern Life
In modern fast-paced life, tea pets have unique significance. They are not only decorative items on the tea table but also a manifestation of cultural inheritance and a way of life. When we take a break from our busy work, calm down, and make a cup of tea, watering the tea pet with the tea soup and watching it gradually change, it seems that time slows down at this moment, allowing us to feel the inner peace and beauty.
Tea pets also serve as a bridge for communication among tea enthusiasts. Different tea pets represent different symbolic meanings and cultural connotations. Tea friends can share their tea pets, exchange their preferences and cultural attainments, and enhance their friendship.
In addition, tea pets also have a certain collection value. Some tea pets with exquisite craftsmanship and high quality may appreciate in value over time with market recognition. For those who love tea culture and collection, collecting different types of tea pets has also become a source of pleasure and a hobby.
In conclusion, as a derivative of tea culture, tea pets, with their rich cultural connotations, diverse shapes, and unique maintenance methods, have become an indispensable part of the tea table. They enable us to feel the charm of traditional culture while tasting tea and add a unique charm to our lives.
