Since as early as during the Sung Dynasty in China, in the 10th century, teapots have been used to brew tea. Zisha clay which contains various minerals is found only in Yixing, China.  This specialty zisha clay is exclusive to the Yixing clay teapot.  The highly sought after clay teapot will over time become seasoned with the flavors of brewing as it takes on its own truly distinctive flavor. For this reason, only one type of tea is generally brewed in a Yixing teapot in order to preserve the ever-developing richly infused flavors and notes of the specific tea.

Because of its absorptive nature and seasoning coating, the Yixing teapot should never be cleaned with soap. Simply rinse with water after each use and allow the teapot to air dry. As the seasoning develops over time, a film will bond with the porous clay walls, resulting in its distinctive aromatic qualities.

Over the years, the Yixing clay teapots have evolved to a reputation of works of art.  Traditional Chinese symbols grace the teapot with the expression of ideas and meaning which is part of the tea-drinking experience. The Yixing teapot is chosen for its seasoning qualities coupled with its expressed symbolic meaning which is individual to the tea-drinker. Here is a list of the types of symbols you can expect to find on the Yixing teapot. Choose one that speaks to you!

Chinese Symbols & Meanings

• Bamboo: Nobility & Growth
• Bunny: Fertility, Kindness & Gentleness, Family Harmony
• Butterfly: Romance and everlasting love, soul-mates
• Cat: Good Luck. They are addressed as Lucky Cat
• Cherry Blossom: Wealth & beauty
• Coin: Good fortune, often given as a gift of best wishes for prosperity in business
• Chrysanthemum: Symbolizes the autumn harvest. Considered rich, beautiful, & filled with hope
• Dragon & Phoenix: Yin & Yang; man and woman; renewal, balance of beauty and power
• Fish: Rhymes with the Chinese word: “Abundance” and symbolizes prosperity & affluence. A must have dish at Chinese New Years dinner
• Frog: Good luck charm which is believed to protect from future danger and warn to prevent it
• Heart Sutra: The most famous part of Buddhist bible script and enlightenment: Emptiness is form; form is also emptiness. Be at peace and rejoice within ones self
• Horse: Leadership, loyalty, and intelligence
• Laughing Buddha: Rejoice with tranquility and generosity
• Lizard: Living strong
• Lotus: Purity and enlightenment. The lotus flower comes out of the mire unsoiled
• Lotus Root: Uninterrupted and unconditional love, connected and bonded to love one another
• Magnolia: Feminine beauty and sweetness
• Monkey: Full of energy with a quick wit
• Mother & Baby Dragon: Coming of power and good fortune through the symbol of the baby dragon
• Owl: Night guard blessed with great vision and alertness
• Peach: Longevity
• Peony: Queen of Flowers, symbol of wealth and distinction
• Pig: Prosperity and wealth
• Pine: Longevity, steadfastness and self-discipline
• Plum Blossom: Endurance, strength, will power and beauty, a blossom which withstands the cold and blooms in spring
• Pumpkin: Celebration, Harvest, Festivity
• Rooster: Full of energy and a warrior’s spirit, bearer of good news at day break
• Swan: Elegance & beauty.
• Tiger: Courage and bravery, symbol of a powerful protector to ward off demons
• Turtle: Longevity