Harmony

Harmonious with all Tea. Tea lovers know that Green Tea should be drunk from a glass cup and Oolong Tea from a covered bowl, but the purple clay pot can be used for both green tea and the now fashionable Pu'er tea. Since the change in drinking habits during the Ming Dynasty, the purple clay pot became the best vessel for tea. At that time, there was only green tea. It wasn't until the mid-Qing Dynasty when fermentation techniques developed and more varieties of tea emerged, that people found the purple clay pot suitable for all types of tea, capable of brewing the best results. Among tea wares, clay is the best, whether it's the noble Pu'er or Dragon Well, or even the common Jasmine tea, placed in a purple clay pot, they can emit their most authentic aroma and color.

In harmony with all things in heaven and earth. Fruits, peaches, pears, and all beings can leap out of the hands of the pot maker, naturally conveying different emotions and wishes onto the pot. There is a pot named Wave Spike, said to be the weapon used by Jing Ke when he attempted to assassinate the King of Qin. But people yearn for peace, hoping to turn swords into plowshares, transforming sharp weapons into tea utensils. This pot expresses the pot maker's aspiration for peace. Mr. Li Changhong once made a pair of pots called Elegant Splendor. One tall and one short, symbolizing a husband and wife, inscribed with the story of offering food respectfully to one's spouse, wishing for harmony among people. Pots can convey feelings and intentions; the purple clay harmonizes with all things and emotions on the pot, evoking deep thoughts in those who admire it.

Fusing metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Calligraphy and painting papers are processed from trees and will instantly turn to ash upon encountering fire. Purple clay itself is earth, containing iron, becomes mud when it meets water, and turns into pottery when fired. The five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth are fused together in the intense heat, forging a new transparent life. This process does not require any embellishment, unlike porcelain which requires a layer of colored glaze. A purple clay pot can be said to be true inside and out, simple and unadorned.

Fusing the square and the round, the hard and the soft. Purple clay pots not only have the distinction between square and round shapes, but the body, handle, and spout can also have different combinations, with lines that are curved and straight, combining strength and suppleness. Even a seemingly round cylindrical body can have a square cross-section, truly embodying the principle of “square within the round, round within the square.” Looking closely at the essence of the pot, even if it has a strong and robust character like a warrior, there is always a gentle and tender side in the flowing curves.

Utility

The beauty of a purple clay pot exists in its use. Pour boiling water into the pot, watch as its color shines like jade, listen to the gentle gurgling of the spring, and the scent of tea slowly rises. The pot appears both real and ethereal, vivid and dynamic, yet tangible. Holding and caressing it brings joy and a sense of intimacy, which can also relax muscles, activate blood flow, and strengthen the body. Purple clay pots become more radiant with use, becoming more beautiful over time – this is what people often refer to as “pot nurturing.” Pots rely on use to nourish life, to cultivate a noble spirit.

The utility of a purple clay pot is not just about immediate strength. Born alongside Tea culture, as long as there is tea, it has a place, constantly reminding you that you cannot live without tea, nor can you be useless.

Wonder

The material of purple clay is special, which is a wonder. It has a dual-pore structure, making it suitable for all types of tea, and tea left overnight won't sour. Moreover, purple clay has an absorbent quality similar to a sponge. A pot frequently used for tea will still have a tea fragrance even without leaves. Purple clay can independently form pottery, being the only clay in the world that doesn't need to be mixed with other minerals to form pottery. It has excellent adhesion and plasticity, capable of forming independently, making it one of the most unique clays in the world. A pot made from this “clay of clays, rock of rocks” five-colored earth emerges from the kiln with a shape resembling bronze, smooth to the touch, and with use, develops a jade-like luster. This cannot help but be considered a wonder.

The expressive power of a purple clay pot is another wonder. A peony pot made from purple clay looks like a blooming peony, and a mango pot looks like a freshly picked mango. In terms of shape, color, and texture, they are lifelike. From afar and up close, they look the same. The animals, birds, and insects made from purple clay are so vivid that they seem ready to come to life. Furthermore, purple clay pots are “not limited to one square shape, nor do rounds have a single appearance”; master-level pots are always creations, each one unique, changing endlessly and infinitely. Art values change, and the purple clay pot expresses the beauty of change to the utmost degree.

In ancient times, purple clay was valued as much as gold, and purple clay pots could be compared to the tripods of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Some even lamented, “Why bother with pearls and jade? They are not as valuable as a handful of soil from Yangxian.” Clearly, in the eyes of pot lovers, although not gold, a good purple clay pot still shines. A fine purple clay pot, no matter where it ends up, will not be buried and forgotten. It rests and regenerates in the essence of nature, waiting to be discovered for its true value. And once discovered, its noble aura ensures it would not lose its luster even in a palace. Though merely a handful of earth, it can transform nobility within. The surface of a purple clay pot lacks glaze, not seeking to please with superficial splendor but hiding a warm luster within the clay. Only through constant use does it become increasingly beautiful. This reserved and profound attitude is also a source of inspiration for life.