If you have a friend who appreciates Chinese tea culture, you may notice a small figurine adorning their tea tray. Known as a Tea Pet, this little companion joins them in enjoying tea. Taking proper care of the Tea Pet is believed to bring good luck and fortune.

What is a tea pet?

A tea pet is a small clay figurine placed on the tea tray or table during a tea ceremony. Tea Pets bring good luck, positive energy, and joy to the tea ceremony. Tea pets are usually made of clay, but they can also be made of other materials such as stone, wood, and porcelain. They come in various shapes and sizes, each with its symbolic meaning.

In addition to their practical use, tea pets also have cultural and social significance. Tea enthusiasts can use them as conversation pieces to show guests hospitality and respect. Over time, tea pets have become a cherished part of the tea culture experience.

Tea Pet Table Placement Etiquette

• 1. Tea pets are typically positioned in a row at the front of the tea tray or in the upper left corner.
• 2. In the case of a Maitreya Buddha tea pet, its face should be directed toward the guests and away from you.
• 3. While there are no hard and fast rules for the number of tea pets to be placed on the tray, avoiding having two golden toads is essential. If you have a golden toad that appears to be shouting money, it should be positioned inward rather than facing the door, which symbolizes money going out. Conversely, a golden toad without cash in its mouth should be placed facing
• 4. As for tea pets in other shapes, there are no specific guidelines regarding their placement orientation, and they can be arranged as desired.

How to raise a tea pet?

If you want to raise a tea pet, like Yixing Zisha teapots, an extended usage period can add value to your tea pet. Here are some other tips for raising and caring for a tea pet.

• When choosing tea leaves for your tea pet, Pu-erh tea is the best choice. At the same time, there are no restrictions on the type of tea leaves you can use. Pu-erh, black, and dark tea are generally recommended as they produce the best results. This is because Pu-erh tea is known for its high-quality and distinctive taste.
• Choosing one type of tea to raise your tea pet is recommended rather than using many different styles.
• It is advisable to choose a moderate size for the pet, as their body also needs to retain water.
• Tea pets can be maintained in various ways, such as pouring more tea and avoiding using white water or leftover tea. It’s important to gently water them with new tea to keep their texture warm and smooth.
• Maintaining the shiny appearance of a tea pet is simple, even though the material quality may differ. Regular brushing and rubbing with a tea cloth can help keep it in good condition.

Caring for Your Tea Pet

Caring for your tea pet is essential to keep it looking great for years. Here are some tips on how to care for your tea pet:

• Avoid placing your tea pet in direct sunlight or high temperatures, as this may cause it to crack or fade.
• When not in use, store your tea pet safely in a tea pet box or on a shelf to prevent damage.

Common Tea Pets Materials

Tea pets can be divided into the following categories according to their materials.

ZishaClay
Zisha tea pets refer to tea pets made of Yixing clay. Zisha tea pets are small pottery sculptures, including figures, Buddha statues, cats, dogs, tigers, elephants, and other small things, which are great ornament on a kungfu tea tray or decorative table. Like the Zisha teapot, its unglazed and porous material allows it to absorb tea over time as feeding.

Chengni
Chengni tea pets are made from river mud. The “Cheng” here is the sediment in the Yellow River that has been artificially processed and can’t be used directly. Chengni is mainly used to make inkstones.

Porcelain
Most tea pets use Zisha clay because Zisha clay has a double pore structure, and tea pets raised in purple sand are more accessible to color. Therefore, the porcelain used to make tea pets generally chooses Ru Yao, Qing Yao, and other materials that can get the fascinating pattern on Ru Kiln or Qing Kiln ceramic called Kai-Pian.

Ru Yao

Celadon

Coarse Pottery

Stone
Shoushan stone is one of the traditional “Four Great Seal Stones” in China. Because the Shoushan mine was mined early, the old saying “Tiankeng, Shuikeng, and Shankeng” refers to the ore mined at the bottom of the fields, water streams, and caves in this mine. After 1500 years of mining, there are hundreds of varieties of Shoushan stone. Shoushan stone is a kind of chlorite with a moist texture, luster, and low hardness.

Tips: Care of Shoushan stone
Remember to keep moist and avoid high temperatures. Shoushan stone should avoid dryness and high temperature. The key to maintenance is to keep it moist. No matter the original stone or carving, you should avoid sunlight and a high-temperature environment.

When the stone is stained by dust and dirt, use a soft silk cloth to wipe it gently to restore its luster.

Metal

Resin
Strictly speaking, metals are easily oxidized when in contact with water, so this kind of tea pet exists more in decorations in tea banquets.

This kind of tea pet with resin as the primary raw material is called a color-changing tea pet. These tea pets turn colorful instantly when poured with hot tea and return to their original colors when cooled—or coating a layer of chemical materials that change color when heated can also achieve the effect of color change.

Tea pets can be divided into the following categories according to their shape.

①Feng Shui Tea Pets

Tea pets are not only used for aesthetic purposes. Their meanings and positioning are closely intertwined with feng shui in China, like Toads, Pixiu, small animals that ward off evil spirits, and other decorations with good meanings.

Golden Toad Tea Pet
This toad is not an ordinary toad, and it has three legs. Legend has it that it was initially a demon but was subdued by Immortal Liu Hai, who reformed the evil, helped the poor, and gave money to people, so it was later regarded as a beast of prosperity.

Where the golden toad goes, money gathers. Jin Chan is a homonym for money, Wangcai Jin Chan, carrying strings of money on his back, which means that money comes into the house in strings. The copper coin in Jin Chan’s mouth can be rotated. You transfer the money with your hands; the homonym is “to make money”.

Pixiu Tea Pet
Due to China’s unique traditional culture, several kinds of tea pets are the most common. One of them is Pixiu, the ninth son of the legendary dragon. It is commonly known as only going in and out, so people think it has the function of attracting wealth and prosperity.

Turtle Tea Pet
One of the most significant characteristics of the turtle is “longevity”, so it has the beautiful meaning of “immortality” and is loved by people. Moreover, the homophony of “turtle” and “return” means reunion. Hence, people are more fond of it, which implies wealth, good fortune, gathering wealth, and hoping to obtain a long and happy life through hard work and diligent labor.

Lion Dragon Tea Pet (Qilin)
It is recorded in ancient Chinese books that the Qilin, the phoenix, tortoise, and dragon, are called the “Four Spirits” and are the mounts of the gods. According to Chinese legend, this lion dragon only appears in times of peace and prosperity or when a saint is in the world.

It is said that the Qilin can live for 2,000 years and is gentle, not hurting animals and people and not trampling on flowers and plants, so it is also called a “benevolent beast”. It is a symbol of benevolence and good fortune, and there is a saying that qi lin song zi (麒麟送 子) which translates as “the qilin (unicorn) delivers boys (or children).”

Fish-dragon Tea Pet
The fish-dragon (Fish Turning into Dragon) is a traditional symbolic pattern of the Han nationality. A dragon with the body of fish is a form of “fish-dragon mutual transformation”. This form has long existed in ancient China and evolved from folk customs and legends in the past.

Elephant Tea Pet
Elephants are also popular among tea lovers. Elephants are famous for absorbing water, and in China, water is wealth, so if you get an elephant in your home, you will get all the wealth. Moreover, the nature of the elephant is docile and peaceful, and placing it at home symbolizes good luck. People who believe in Feng Shui will put it in the most prosperous place indoors, and the whole family will benefit.

Goldfish Tea Pet

The goldfish has a strange shape and gorgeous colors. It is a natural art. The red on the goldfish’s head often represents good luck. Watching and playing while drinking tea symbolizes the owner’s good luck, which is loved by lots of people.

Pig Tea Pet
Pigs have always been a symbol of prosperity and auspiciousness. So it is adorable and attractive to keep on the tea tray. A pig tea pet is often given to wish someone good luck and happiness.

Swan Tea Pet
The swan represents peace, goodness, high aspirations, love, and loyalty. A bunch of happy swans forms a heart shape, bringing out love’s beauty and warmth and symbolizing purity, eternity, and beauty.

Horse Tea Pet
This tea pet is the horse in the zodiac. Since ancient times, “horse” has meaning prosperity and profound meaning. With exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful design, it is regarded as a high-end art collection in the tea art circle.

OX Tea Pet
The Chinese cow symbolizes good qualities such as hard work, patience, and strength.

Tiger Tea Pet
Chinese people have liked tigers since ancient times. Tiger is a symbol of strength and an auspicious beast representing auspiciousness and peace. At the same time, the tiger is the king of beasts, representing majesty, power, and glory.

Hu Lu Tea Pet
Gourd” harmonizes with “Fu Lu” and is often used by folk to express good fortune. The fruitful vines and seeds of the gourd indicate “prosperity and good fortune”; the gourd can be used for water and medicine and is also one of the Eight Immortals of Darkness, signifying health, longevity, and peace. Many people consider the gourd to be the ancestor of human beings, and in many myths and stories, the gourd is often accompanied by gods and heroes. It is regarded as a spiritual object that can bring good fortune, ward off evil spirits and protect the home.

Maitreya Buddha Tea Pet
Generally, Maitreya Buddha is the majority, and there are more lying and sitting postures. There are few standing postures, and there are also strange shapes. Most of them express good luck and prolonging life.

Tea Zen integrates meditation into the tea ceremony, forms the concept of “Tea and Zen Have One Taste”, and develops into a “tea ceremony” cultural and living habit with unique Chinese characteristics. Among the shapes of Zen tea pets are Buddha, Bodhidharma, and young monks, and there are lying, sitting, and standing.

②Beautiful symbolism Tea Pet

③Fable Story Tea Pet

Three Monks Tea Pet

An old Chinese folk proverb tells the story of three monks. These monks found themselves in a difficult situation as they had no water to eat, and the temple they were in caught fire. However, rather than giving up, the three monks worked together to extinguish the flames. In the end, they also cooperated to bring water to the temple. This proverb teaches us that contributing and relying on others is essential for achieving our goals and helps us cultivate a sense of unity and cooperation.

Four Monkeys Tea Pet

In this group of tea pets, there are four monkeys with different gestures. One monkey has its eyes covered, another has its mouth covered, the third has its ears plugged, and the fourth is hanging its hand. The message behind their gestures is clear: If you choose not to listen, you shouldn’t listen. If you decide not to see, then you shouldn’t look. If you choose not to speak, then you shouldn’t talk. And if you decide not to do something, you shouldn’t do it.

④Ancient People Tea Pet

Dharma Tea Pet
Bodhidharma is a Zen monk in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, abbreviated as Dharma, translated as Juefa. According to the “The Biography Continuation of Eminent Monks”, Bodhidharma is a native of Southern India, belonging to the caste of Kshatriya. Making tea pets based on Bodhidharma expresses admiration and nostalgia for Bodhidharma.

The Chinese Tea Saint, Lu Yu
The tea saint refers to Lu Yu of the Tang Dynasty. Lu Yu tasted all the famous teas in China and wrote the “Tea Classic” to describe it. His writings became a classic for the study of the art of tea in the future. Today, many people like to use “Lu Yu” as the name of tea art or tea products. During his life, Lu Yu despised power and wealth, loved nature, and insisted on justice. Making tea pets based on Lu Yu is a tribute to tea and a celebration of Lu Yu’s excellent qualities.

God of Wealth Tea Pet

The God of Wealth is in charge of wealth in Chinese folklore. The God of Wealth has poured out the simple emotions of the working people in China, entrusting the good wishes of living and working in peace, contentment, good luck, and prosperity. The original meaning refers to the gods worshiped by Taoism.

It means the same as the God of Wealth, and it is also a symbol of people’s hope for promotion and advancement.

⑤Bionic Tea Pets

Living organisms inspire the production of bionic tea pets. Artisans use exquisite skills to restore life. They all look the same as natural objects, and it isn’t easy to distinguish them from the naked eye.

Snail Tea Pet
The snail is often seen as a representation of a wise and determined approach to finding happiness. In their slow and steady manner, they remind us to avoid conflict and greed and instead embody modesty and perseverance. Additionally, their lively energy serves as a testament to their strong vitality.

Peach Tea Pet(Sou Tao)

In the old days, people believed that older people would become younger and live longer after eating longevity peaches. In the folk, people use peaches to pray for blessings and call birthday cakes longevity peaches. It is always indispensable in birthday banquets.

Water Spray tea pet
To prepare your tea pet, pour boiling water over it and let it sit for a few moments. This will help expel any air inside the pet due to heat expansion and contraction. Next, quickly submerge the pet in cold water, which will cause the principle of heat expansion and hard contraction to draw in the cold water. Finally, remove the pet from the water and spray it with boiling water.

⑥Functional Tea Pet

In addition to being ornamental and enjoyable, tea pets have a certain practicality, as they are designed with different shapes and features according to different needs.

Tea pets can be a fun and meaningful addition to any tea ceremony, adding a touch of whimsy and tradition to the experience. They also make lovely gifts for tea lovers and are often passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms.

⑦Color Changing Tea Pet

A color-changing tea pet is a type of tea pet that changes color when it comes into contact with hot water. This is achieved through the use of thermochromic pigments, which react to temperature changes and cause the tea pet’s color to shift.

Color-changing tea pets can come in various shapes and sizes, like traditional tea pets. When you pour hot water over them, they can change color from one hue to another or reveal hidden patterns or designs. The color change is temporary and reverses as the tea temperature cools.

These tea pets add an element of fun and surprise to the tea-drinking experience, and they can be delightful for children and young tea enthusiasts. They are also popular as gifts and collectibles among tea lovers.