For those who frequently drink Tea, tea pets are no strangers. In teahouses, tea shops, or in many tea enthusiasts' homes, there is usually a large tea table or tea tray, on which, in addition to cups, pots, and other tea utensils, several tea pets are also placed.

Tea pets can be auspicious, imbued with cultural significance, whimsical, or full of childlike fun, depending entirely on the owner's preferences.

Several Common Categories of Purple Clay Tea Pets

1. Auspicious Tea Pets. In earlier years, the Tea pet market was dominated by items such as golden toads, pixiu (mythical creatures), and other small animals with good connotations.

2. Spraying Tea Pets. Currently, the typical shape of spraying tea pets popular in the market is that of a child. When hot water is poured over these spraying tea pets, they playfully “urinate.”

3. Color-Changing Tea Pets. Most color-changing tea pets on the market today are made primarily from resin. These tea pets immediately turn colorful when doused with hot tea, then revert to their original colors when cooled. Applying a layer of chemical material that changes color when heated to a finished tea pet can also achieve a color-changing effect.

4. Fun Tea Pets. Among the shapes of tea pets, Maitreya Buddha is common, in reclining, sitting, or standing poses. However, in recent years, various zodiac tea pets and even tea pets shaped like everyday objects, such as shoes or pumpkins, have appeared.

How to Nurture Purple Clay Tea Pets to Bring Them to Life?

1. With Heart. First, you must love this activity and your tea pet, which will motivate you to appreciate and care for it carefully;

2. Some impatient tea enthusiasts immerse their tea pets in tea water for convenience or pour leftover tea over them vigorously. These are incorrect methods, and the resulting luster is called “monk's shine,” lacking vitality. The correct method is to gently pour tea water over the tea pet, use a brush used for pot nurturing dipped in tea soup to smear it, or lightly wipe it with a tea towel.

3. If possible, use one type of tea to nurture your beloved tea pet. This prevents the tea pet from being exposed to different types of tea, ensuring its color remains pure. Generally speaking, Black Tea, Dahongpao-type rock teas, and Pu'er tea make the effects of nurturing tea pets more noticeable faster, while Green Tea is relatively slower.

Essential Knowledge for Tea Enthusiasts: The Meanings and Placement of Various Tea Pets

Tea pets are generally placed in the top left quarter of the tea tray in front of the Nine Ming Tea Tray, in a small row; animal tea pets should avoid those that clash with our zodiac signs. For those with specific placement requirements, explanations are provided below; otherwise, conventional placement is fine.

Golden Toad: “Toad” is a symbol of good fortune in ancient mythology. According to legend, a three-legged golden toad is a magical creature believed to bring wealth. Thus, the saying “Liu Hai Teases the Golden Toad, Stepping Towards Wealth” has become popular. China's unique traditional culture has determined the prevalence of certain tea pets.

The “golden toad” sounds similar to “money.” A golden toad with coins on its back represents money flowing into the home. If the golden toad has a coin in its mouth that can be rotated, it signifies earning money. If there is no coin in its mouth, it represents attracting money.

Placement: The face of the golden toad with a coin in its mouth should face us; if there is no coin, its face should face away from us.

Elephant: Feng shui, an important aspect of Chinese culture, associates water with wealth. Elephants are well-known for their ability to absorb water and are thus a symbol of good luck and wealth.

Placement: Believers in feng shui can place the elephant in the most prosperous area of the house, benefiting the entire family.

Maitreya Buddha: There are various colors of clay, with Maitreya Buddha being the most common, in reclining or sitting positions. There are fewer standing poses, and some have peculiar shapes, mostly symbolizing good fortune, longevity, and blessings.

Placement: For statues, it is recommended to choose a smaller Maitreya Buddha as a tea pet, with its face facing away from us towards guests.

Pixiu: According to legend, the pixiu is the ninth son of the dragon and only takes in but never lets out, so people believe it has the power to protect and increase wealth. Male pixiu represent wealth, while female ones represent a treasure chest. They usually appear in pairs, symbolizing attracting and storing wealth and protecting the home.

Cabbage: “Cabbage” sounds similar to “displaying wealth,” signifying a wealthy household with abundant wealth.

Pig: Pigs have always been symbols of abundance and auspiciousness. Keeping them on a tea tray is adorable and very likable. Typically, single pigs are kept, and larger ones can be purchased, but there are also pairs, with some having heads, feet, and tails protruding, while others reflect emotions through the engraving on the sandstone.

Bat: Bats symbolize good fortune from above, with five “fu” characters indicating the Five Blessings. When paired with coins, they signify good fortune in sight. Together with the sun or sea, they indicate boundless good fortune. When paired with celestial officials, they signify blessings bestowed by the heavens.

Bat

Monkey: A wise monkey paired with a horse symbolizes imminent promotion. An older monkey carrying a younger one symbolizes successive generations of officials. Monkeys covering their eyes, mouths, or ears signify not seeing, not speaking, or not hearing.

Turtle: One of the turtle's most significant features is its “longevity,” which gives it the beautiful connotation of “immortality,” making it much loved. Moreover, “turtle” sounds similar to “return,” symbolizing reunion and completeness. People therefore love it even more, associating it with prosperity, good fortune, and wealth accumulation, hoping for a long life and happiness through hard work.

Carp: Carp symbolize joy and prosperity, with leaping carps representing rapid advancement. A carp under a lotus leaf symbolizes difficulty avoiding wealth. A dragon-headed fish symbolizes promotion.

Kylin: “Kylin” is also written as “qilin,” often abbreviated as “lin.” It appears in ancient Chinese literature, along