Yixing Clay Monkey Tea Figurine

The Yixing Clay Monkey Tea Fig urine is a charming Yixing clay figurine, ideal for enhancing your traditional tea ceremony.

Figurines in the Chinese Tea Ceremony

If you have ever attended the Chinese Gongfu Cha tea ceremony, you may have noticed that most tea trays (Cheban) are accompanied by a small clay figurine, known as “茶 宠” (tea animal). These Yixing clay artworks are constantly bathed during the tea ceremony, bringing auspices of good luck and prosperity.

In China, tea figurines are regarded with great respect, sometimes equated with pets. Although they are simply decorative tea tray items, in many Chinese families they have deep symbolic meanings. For example, the dragon figurine may represent celestial energy and symbolize a connection with the Dao, or be considered a talisman given by a deceased elder, imparting wisdom and protection to the family.

“Feeding” Your Tea Figurine.

You can “feed” your tea figurine by pouring it with hot water used to warm the tea utensils before drinking it, or with water used to wash the tea leaves at the beginning of the ceremony. Over time, the clay will absorb the aromas and smells of the tea, manifesting a distinctive color patina. Tea figurines come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small to large, and can depict animals, people, insects, or mythical creatures, with both simple and sophisticated designs.

Using Chinese Tea Figurines in Meditation

Studies have shown that focusing on an object during meditation can cause the human brain to operate at a frequency similar to that of monks and mystics. This state of consciousness offers the opportunity to receive insight or answers to persistent questions, known as “help from above” or “advice from the ancestors.” During the tea ceremony, the relaxation induced by the tea itself and the presence of the figurines help to focus attention and facilitate access to this meditative state.