Tea Pet - Sitting Elephant
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Country of Origin China
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Product Type Tea Accesories
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Material Yixing
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Total Price: 39.00 € (including VAT)
A gentle companion of the tea ceremony.
This Yixing clay elephant embodies wisdom, peace, and quiet strength – qualities long associated with this noble animal in Chinese tradition.
In symbolism, the elephant (Xiang 象) represents calm power, patience, and balance. It is believed to bring serenity and good fortune to the space it inhabits.
When poured over with tea, it slowly develops a natural patina, reflecting the warmth and rhythm of your tea ritual. Did you know that elephants love water?
A thoughtful gift for those who appreciate stillness and harmony in every cup.
Symbolism of the Elephant in Chinese Culture & Feng Shui
In Chinese tradition, the elephant (象, Xiang) is one of the noblest symbols – representing wisdom, peace, gentle strength, and longevity. Its calm presence is believed to protect the home and attract harmony, stability, and good fortune.
In feng shui, the elephant is a guardian and bringer of peace, often placed in the home to enhance balanced and positive energy (qi).
An elephant with its trunk raised is seen as a sign of growth, success, and blessings.
As a tea pet, the elephant becomes more than decoration – a quiet guardian of your tea space, reminding us of the strength that comes from stillness and patience.
Tea Pets
Small companions for the tea ritual and faithful friends of the tea lover.
Tea pets—small figurines are an integral part of the traditional Chinese tea ceremony.
Crafted from authentic Yixing clay, these tiny sculptures are bathed in tea during the ritual, allowing them to "come to life."
Over time, they develop a delicate patina, a lustrous sheen, and a unique character; the longer they stay with you, the more they bear the imprint of your tea-drinking moments.
Each figurine carries its own significance:
- a dragon or lion brings powerful energy and protection,
- a frog or toad symbolizes abundance and prosperity,
- an elephant embodies tranquility and patience,
- and bamboo, a fish, or a turtle represent longevity, harmony, and the natural flow of life.
A tea pet is more than just an ornament—it is a living witness to your tea ritual, connecting you to tradition, the earthy energy of the clay, and the peaceful rhythm of tea.
What is the purpose of the first brief infusion (the rinse)?
The purpose of the first short infusion—often called the rinse or the "awakening" of the tea—depends on the type of tea. This step is primarily used in the traditional Chinese Gong Fu Cha tea preparation method and serves three main functions:
1. Awakening and unfurling the tea leaves
Pressed teas: Teas such as Pu-erh are traditionally pressed into cakes or bricks. The leaves are tightly compressed; brief contact with hot water helps them absorb moisture and begin to slowly unfurl.
Shaped teas: Teas like Oolong (e.g., Tie Guan Yin), which are rolled into tight pellets, require this initial contact to fully open up and release their flavor during the actual first infusion.
2. Cleansing the tea leaves
Removing dust: Traditionally processed teas (especially aged varieties like Pu-erh) undergo drying, fermentation, or storage processes where fine tea dust or tiny impurities can settle on them. Rinsing washes away these particles.
3. Warming the tea ware
The water from the initial rinse is not consumed; instead, it is used to pour over and warm the teapot, the serving pitcher, and the tea cups. This ensures that the subsequent—actual—infusion does not lose heat rapidly.