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Thursday, November 29, 2012

A Tea Pet

 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac
This is not the year of the Ox, but it is a friends tea pet.
You are asking, I just know you are.
What is a tea pet?
Well it is a tea mascot sometimes found on tea trays.
Tea pets, Zi Sha, are mascots.
The owner often will pour tea over them as they are serving
and after awhile the pet acquires the scent of the tea.
The tea pet can represent good luck or according to the particular figure
it can represent a plethora of meanings for the owner.
My tea pet is a turtle.
Why you ask?
Really I don't know, I was just drawn to the little guy when
I saw him sitting on the counter of Lin Ceramics in Taiwan.



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8 comments:

  1. BalishaNovember 29, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    I've never heard of this custom. I am learning so much about tea and it's traditions from your blog. Thanks,
    Balisha

    ReplyDelete
  2. RosemaryNovember 29, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    Tea pets are new to me... where have i been?

    ReplyDelete
  3. SteveNovember 29, 2012 at 6:47 PM

    Nice,
    I recognize the first picture.
    My favorite tea shop!!
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. JeanieNovember 30, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    You learn something new every day and I just did! I think I have a Lion tea pet -- probably not a real tea pet, but real to me!

    ReplyDelete
  5. parTea ladyNovember 30, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    Tea pets are new to me too. I like the turtle you chose and that lovely teapot.

    ReplyDelete
  6. GardenOfDaisiesNovember 30, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    I have never heard of tea pets, but I love the idea! And anything that smells like tea is good to me! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. LaurieNovember 30, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    Where do you find a tea pet, Marilyn. I have never heard of them and would love to find some. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!

    ReplyDelete
  8. relevanttealeafDecember 3, 2012 at 6:56 PM

    Fun post, Marilyn! I had never heard of tea pets until our 10th ATAA anniversary gathering at Amherst Rose tearoom. Ingrid brought one.

    ReplyDelete

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