If you have taken part in a traditional tea ceremony in East Asia, especially China, you might have spotted a little clay figure sitting by the main pot on the tea table. What is a tea pet? It’s that little companion, a small clay figure kept with you while you drink tea, and said to bring good luck.
Tea pets are usually a red brown color, although that may vary depending on the clay. In recent years they have captured the hearts of tea lovers around the world with their charming designs and often cheeky features, including the humorous and appropriately named “pee pee boy”. They have become a staple of many Chinese tea shops across the world.
So, to learn a little more about these interesting little tea companions, here is my guide to tea pets!
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Quick Look
- 🐸 What It Is: a small clay figure kept on the tea table
- 🏺 Made From: traditionally Yixing clay from Jiangsu province, China
- 🍀 Meaning: said to bring good luck and good fortune
- 🐖 Popular Shapes: pigs, toads, dragons, Buddha, cats and birds
- 🫖 How It’s Used: leftover tea or hot water is poured over it
- 💧 Care: rinse with plain water, no soap
Quick Answer
A tea pet is a small clay figure, often an animal, a little boy, or a mythical creature, that sits on the tea table while you drink tea. Tea pets come from Chinese tea culture and are traditionally made of Yixing clay from Jiangsu province. During tea, leftover tea or hot water is poured over the tea pet, and over time the clay soaks up the tea and develops a soft shine. Having one with you is said to bring good luck.
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What Exactly Is a Tea Pet?
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- Exactly what it sounds like. A tea pet is a little figure, typically made from clay, that you keep by you while you are drinking tea.
- Simple, but meaningful. Just because it’s easy to understand doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Having a tea pet during those moments is said to bring good luck to the person who owns it or brings the tea.
- Ceremony or everyday. A tea pet often sits by your side during a tea ceremony, but many people keep one for their own personal tea time too.
- People and animals. Many are a small clay man or boy, but frogs, cats, pigs, birds, and mythical animals are just as common.
Why Tea Lovers Love Tea Pets
- They’re charming, and many have cheeky little faces.
- They’re said to bring good luck to everyone at the table.
- They change over time. The more tea they soak up, the more they shine. Note it in your tea tasting journal.
- They make tea time special, just like a tea cozy or a favorite cup.
- They make a lovely gift for any tea lover. See my gifts for tea lovers.
The History of the Tea Pet
In Chinese culture there are many lucky charms that people use to bring them luck and happiness, for a whole range of occasions. The tea pet is just one of these symbols.
To learn more, we travel to the Yixing area in Jiangsu province, China, a region famous for its clay teapots and teaware for centuries. Tea pets are believed to have grown out of this same tradition, made from the same clay as the famous Yixing teapots. Over time they were shaped into many popular figures in Chinese tea culture, from pigs to dragons!
Interestingly, although Yixing is well known for its clay teapots, tea pets are very rarely mentioned in historical records. It’s only in more recent years that they have become popular and recognized across the world.
Popular Tea Pet Shapes and What They Mean
Tea pets come in a variety of forms. They can look like people, animals, or creatures of folklore, and some even look like historical figures that are important to the owner or maker.
- Pig: considered a very lucky animal in China, so its good fortune is meant to be shared with everyone at the ceremony. A very popular design.
- Dragon: a symbol of great wisdom and nobility throughout most of China.
- Buddha: a very popular design for tea pets.
- The pee pee boy: a playful little figure that tea lovers enjoy for its cheeky sense of humor.
- Frogs, toads, cats, and birds: some of the most common animal tea pets you’ll find.
Sizes vary too. Some are fairly large, around 3 inches or more, and others are much smaller.
How to Use a Tea Pet
- Set it on your tea table or tray near the teapot before you begin.
- Brew your tea. Any tea works, from black tea to green tea to pu’erh. Here is how to make a pot of tea.
- Share the tea. Pour a little leftover tea or hot water over your tea pet while the tea is served, as is done during a tea ceremony.
- Enjoy your cup with your tea pet beside you. It’s believed that drinking tea with a tea pet present brings good luck and fortune to the drinker.
- Repeat every tea time. Over time the clay soaks up the tea and develops a soft, glossy shine.
How to Care for a Tea Pet
- Rinse with plain water. Plain or cold water is enough to clean them, and soap is very rarely, if ever, needed.
- Skip the soap. Unglazed clay can soak up soap and pass the taste back to the tea.
- Match the clay. Ideally, your tea pet is made from the same kind of clay as the teapot it sits with.
- Let it dry on your tea tray between uses.
- Give it a home. Keep it with your teaware; here are some tea storage ideas.
Can Anything Be a Tea Pet?
With so many designs, it begs the question: can anything be a tea pet? To tell you the truth, the answer can be a little hazy. The main thing that separates a tea pet from other ornaments is that it is made from clay of some kind.
Although Yixing clay is their original home, tea pets have become a popular fixture around the world and have long since outgrown their humble origins. Gifting one of these, in its natural clay red and brown, is a beautiful gift that any tea lover would be thrilled to receive. Tuck one into a tea gift basket, build a DIY tea gift basket, or add one to your tea party favors.
If you love the meaning behind the things on your tea table, you will enjoy The Teacup Story.
More of my most popular tea articles: Sips By Tea Subscription Box, Popular Tea Subscription Boxes, How Is Tea Made?, Best Glass Teapots, and tea etiquette.
Tea Pet FAQs
Tea pets are traditionally made of Yixing clay from Jiangsu province in China, the same clay used for Yixing teapots. Today you can find them in many kinds of clay.
Pouring leftover tea or hot water over a tea pet is part of the tradition and is said to share good luck. Over time the clay soaks up the tea and develops a soft shine.
Rinse it with plain or cold water and let it dry. Soap is very rarely needed, and it is best avoided because unglazed clay can absorb it.
The pig is considered a very lucky animal in China, so a pig tea pet is meant to bring good fortune to everyone who takes part in the tea.
It’s a playful little boy figure and one of the best known tea pets. Tea lovers enjoy it for its cheeky sense of humor.
Yes. A tea pet is a thoughtful, unusual gift for any tea lover, and it fits nicely in a tea gift basket.
More Tea Articles
A tea pet is not just any old ornament, but something special: a symbol of the craftsmanship of tea, and of good fortune for everyone at the table. Do you have a tea pet? Tell me about it in the comments, and come say hello on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Whether you use a traditional teapot with a tea pet beside it or a more modern version, I hope you get the chance to experience them for yourself. For more, browse my Tea Guides.
