How is the tea ceremony performed in China? Chinese Tea Ceremony - history, traditions, philosophy

Tea occupies a special place in Chinese culture - it is believed that tea drinking should accompany every significant event in life. The Chinese tea ceremony is called “Gongfu Cha” and resembles a quiet meditation that puts participants in a contemplative mood. When the doors of the soul are closed to vanity, the mystical celebration of tea begins.

There is no wrong time to brew tea, only the wrong mood – the Chinese are convinced. In China, tea is considered an essential product as it is consumed daily. There are still special instruments for the tea ceremony in every family's home, although they are used only on special occasions.

Tea accessories for everyday tea drinking are not particularly sophisticated - it is more important to enjoy the taste of the drink. The utensils have been kept in the family for generations - simple clay teapots and bowls are especially valued. Chinese tea culture calls for a simplified tea ceremony in situations that require inner peace from those present.

It is considered good manners to invite for tea:

as a sign of respect. Young Chinese often devote their weekends to meetings with relatives or respected people. Tea etiquette requires treating older people with aromatic tea - thus, young people show respect for the knowledge and experience of the older generation.
to offer an apology or gratitude. It is indecent to apologize or thank someone without a worthy reason. According to tradition, one must have a tea party to properly show one's respect. Before the offering of tea, a speech is made (thank you or with an apology), and then the achieved understanding is consolidated by drinking tea together.
during the pre-wedding feast. Carrying out a ceremony when the bride and groom (or their families) meet each other is considered a good custom in modern China. Elder relatives present red envelopes with monetary gifts or good wishes to future spouses. And the young couple greets each guest by name, rank and title, which contributes to the establishment of good family relations.
during family events. Chinese society values tradition. Not a single important family event can do without a tea ceremony. The ritual part is extremely simplified, but they try to accurately reproduce the desired atmosphere.

Green tea is brewed in a large porcelain teapot and then poured into small bowls - one brew should be enough for the whole family, which every time reminds of the need to share benefits. Simple devices are used, the appearance of which says: “It is not the form that is important, but the essence.”

Coronation tea or the essence of the ceremony

The essence of the tea ceremony is to achieve a meditative state without detachment from the surrounding reality. Tea etiquette allows for quiet conversation during the ceremony, which puts guests on the same page. The only thing unacceptable is a disdainful attitude towards the ceremony, which destroys the magic of ritual actions. Even tea utensils evoke reverence - “new” is not held in high esteem, so ceremonies often feature dishes with a history of three or four centuries.

The Chinese tea ceremony is devoid of pomp and, in comparison, seems simplified. According to the Chinese tradition, pretentiousness only hinders spiritual development, therefore fussy movements and unnecessary details are unacceptable. From the Chinese point of view, the simplest appliances and the best varieties of tea fit together perfectly!

“Minimum rituals – maximum meaning,” is the motto that tea masters follow. The Gongfu Cha ceremony is laconic - the guests’ attention is entirely absorbed by the taste of the tea. The equipment for the ceremony is selected in such a way as to ensure maximum enjoyment of the drink.

Secondary and main things in tea drinking culture

The Chinese tea ceremony celebrates Tea. Expensive tea accessories, the venue and even the personality of the tea master are considered secondary. Tea culture was formed under the influence of Zen Buddhism and teaches participants in the art to see the main thing.

Chinese traditions teach to enjoy the main benefits of tea:

Leaf shape. Tea etiquette includes the stage of “getting to know” tea. At the beginning of the ceremony, the leaves are poured into a special box, which is passed around in a circle. Guests evaluate the appearance of each leaf (shape, color).
Aroma. Getting to know tea at Gongfu Cha also involves studying its aroma, both before and after brewing. It is considered sufficient to inhale the aroma of the leaves three times in order to become closer to the energy of the proposed plant.
Brew color. Teaware allows you to see how the color of the tea leaves changes during the ceremony. Chinese tea culture suggests brewing green tea multiple times. The first brew is drained, and subsequent brews are evaluated by the guests.
Taste. Miniature tea utensils do not allow you to drink greedily - the drink should be enjoyed leisurely. It is customary to drink tea in three, four or seven tiny sips. In Gongfu Cha, it is believed that this approach sharpens the perception of taste.

What are the benefits of a traditional tea ceremony? Tea drinking in Gongfu Cha is a symbolic reflection of the interaction of Yin and Yang energies. Accessories for the tea ceremony and drinking utensils are used by the master to convey the basic principles of Buddhism.

How is the Gongfu Cha ceremony performed?

Traditions require placing tea accessories on a special tray. The master slowly places the tea accessories on the table, then introduces the guests to the appearance of the tea.

Preparing tea utensils. The dishes for the tea ceremony are ceremonially doused with boiling water. First, warm the teapot, and then wash other tea accessories with the same water. It is believed that heated teaware helps to fully reveal the taste and aroma of tea.
Cup of Justice. In Gongfu Cha, a large teapot and a bowl of justice are used to brew tea. Green tea brews quickly, so it cannot be immediately distributed into separate cups - the first infusion will be the weakest, and the last will be the strongest. According to tradition, the brew is first poured into a special tea utensil - “cha-hai” and only then distributed among the guests.
Brewing principles. The first brew is not used in Gongfu Cha - the Chinese believe that it allows you to wash away dust and cleanse the drink of foreign odors. “What extravagance!” Europeans might think. However, one tea is brewed at least 3-4 times (usually 5-6) before using fresh leaves. This approach allows you to taste all the shades of tea taste. To brew tea, use spring water heated to 70-80 degrees. Boiling water spoils the taste of the drink, so it is used only for washing dishes for the tea ceremony.
Spilling tea. There are two types of tea utensils: tall utensils (wenxiabei - masculine) and narrow cups with a wide top (chabei - feminine). Such tea accessories symbolize the interaction between Yin and Yang and help to intuitively experience the philosophy of Zen Buddhism. First, tea is poured into tall utensils, and then into wide bowls. Guests then bring their personal devices to their faces and enjoy the aroma. After taking three ritual inhalations and exhalations, you can drink tea in small sips.
Conversation. What tea ceremony could be complete without philosophical conversations? While preparing the drink, the masters talk about the tea traditions of different regions and share interesting stories from the lives of monks and kung fu masters. After the ritual part is completed, the cultural conversation begins. It is customary to talk about literature, art, philosophy, and scientific achievements.
Completion. The master washes all the tea utensils with boiling water, wipes them with a clean cloth and slowly takes them away. The ceremony begins and ends without fuss - guests should thank the tea master and each other for a pleasant time, and then go home in a good mood.

The tea ceremony in China helps restore lost mental balance and reminds of the harmony of two principles - tea drinking devices symbolize the energy of Yin and Yang, helping to understand the principles of their interaction. Ceremonial tea drinking immerses you in a meditative state and inspires you with the wisdom of Zen Buddhism.

photo: depositphotos.com/tolokonov, eAlisa, asimojet

The Chinese tea ceremony becomes more and more interesting every year: constant stress and turmoil push people to search for harmony, peace and quiet. But lying on the sofa in front of the TV, it is not at all possible to achieve such relaxation and tranquility. And some turn to the traditions of the wisest and most ancient peoples.

Conducting a Chinese tea ceremony is a process aimed at immersing oneself, focusing on emotions and feelings, as well as the taste of high-quality tea. To fully understand, it is not enough to look at photos or read articles - you need to visit at least once a popular restaurant or tea house, where the ceremony is performed by real masters of this craft!

In the Chinese tea ceremony, every detail and concentration of the master is important; an ordinary person needs to train for a long time so as not to disturb the atmosphere of the entire tradition with his restless aura. This is why holding events in special places is so in demand in Moscow and other large cities of Russia.

What is the philosophy of Chinese tea drinking?

The entire atmosphere of Chinese tea drinking is set by the master. It is important for him to remain calm and confident; movements should be soft, but distinct and bold. Guests should take care of their condition: calm down, tune in to their inner “wave” of feelings.

Important! During the ceremony, you need to fully enjoy the tastes and aromas, as well as the aesthetic component of the ceremony.

The proper process of the Chinese tea ceremony evokes various thoughts, dreams and memories. It is aimed at positive emotions, searching for answers to questions within a person. Conversations between participants are also acceptable, but only in a quiet tone that will not disturb other guests.

Features of Chinese traditions

Tea is consumed daily in China; this element is one of the seven most important culinary ingredients present in the life of every Chinese. Middle-class families and wealthy people hold a tea ceremony at least once a week, and on other days enjoy the taste of simpler tea drinks. There are special reasons for holding the Chinese tea ceremony:

As a sign of respect, the procedure is carried out in honor of the merits of older people.
Quiet family ceremony. It is carried out in the event of a gathering of the whole family, if some of its members live separately.
Wedding. An integral part of any wedding in China is the exchange of cups of tea between the newlyweds and parents.
"Wise" tea party. One of the most interesting and unusual traditions, during which the younger generation and older people exchange experiences and wisdom over a cup of tea. This allows us to preserve the thousand-year-old traditions of the Chinese people.
Reason for apology. If a person wants to apologize, he invites the offended person to the ceremony, accompanying the process with verbal repentance.

This is interesting! In China, any acquaintance within the framework of traditions, for example, the parents of the bride and groom, is accompanied by a tea ceremony. Often the future wife herself conducts it, showing her complaisance and desire to serve her husband (usually in very conservative families).

Types of ceremonies

The Chinese tradition of drinking tea in the form in which it can be found in special restaurants in Russia is called Gong Fu Cha; other ceremonies require less preparation and surroundings:

Gong Fu Cha is a traditional tea drinking ritual that involves spending free time enjoying a certain type of tea;
He cha is a simple tea drinking experience that uses different varieties;
Ping cha is a tea party with many varieties, in which professional tasters can participate;
Lu Yu's method - tea is prepared for a long time using an open fire, medicinal herbs, as well as pu-erh, can be added to it.

Important! Traditionally, the Chinese oolong variety was used for Gong Fu Cha, but today even in China many different types of tea are used: white, green, yellow, red, flavored drinks and black pu-erh.

What kind of music should I use?

To create a pleasant atmosphere that promotes calm and relaxation during the Chinese tea ceremony, special music is needed:

it should be calm, slow and close to the sounds of nature and classical Chinese instruments;
often masters choose mystical Chinese sounds, combined with the chirping of birds, the murmur of water, and the sounds of the forest.

Heavy and overly intrusive motives should be avoided. Chinese music for the tea ceremony should sound in the background, a little distant and unobtrusively. Its secondary purpose is to smooth out small sounds from the outside.

Music for the tea ceremony

Preparing utensils

- This is a large set of different devices, many of which have an unusual shape and are unusual for a European person. Different rituals in China itself require slightly different sets of dishes and utensils, but the classic Chinese tea ceremony always requires the following utensils:

A small Yixing teapot for brewing and special sets of gaiwan - utensils for the drink.
A small jug made of real clay - Cha Hai, into which the brewed drink is poured.
A special cauldron into which heated water is poured for subsequent brewing.
Not always, but tea pairs are often used - a narrow and elongated Xiang Bei cup and a wide, low Pin Bei cup; a set complemented with Beinch Zhan saucers will look beautiful. Saucers can be round or square.
A dark, soft cloth used to wipe away droplets of drink that have spilled on dishes.
Cha He box for dry tea, which is used before the procedure of brewing the drink: it is given to each participant to get acquainted with the type and quality of the raw materials, to feel the first aroma of the yet unopened bouquet.
A small porcelain spoon used to remove tea leaves that accidentally fall into cups or on dishes.
Bamboo spoon for spooning tea into cups or teapots.
A filter sieve that is hung on the spout of the kettle.
A large board made of Cha Pan wood, on which the entire set of dishes is placed.
Large tongs for removing tea leaves or gaiwans.

The process of preparing for tea drinking

Brewing a drink is an interesting and beautiful ritual of the Chinese ceremony, which involves very precise and consistent movements. Every detail is important - it is from them that the general idea of \u200b\u200bis formed. Before a person tries this amazing drink, there are 7 stages of preparation awaiting him:

Gradual heating of the teapot for brewing - blue. All utensils are beautifully laid out on a wooden board prepared earlier. All tea cups are warmed with boiling water, filled to a third, then a little water is poured into the kettle. After 2 minutes, rinse the walls a little with light movements and pour out the water from all the cups and the kettle. This is done to warm and disinfect the dishes so that the aromatic tea does not lose its amazing taste.
At the second stage, dry tea leaves are poured into a box with a bamboo spoon and handed to the participant who sits closest to the left. The participant opens the box, inhales the aroma of the leaves 1-2 times, closes it and passes it to the next person.
When the second stage is completed, the master pours the tea leaves into a heated teapot in the amount of 15 g or 3 bamboo spoons per 150 g of water.

Important: raw materials should be taken from a box that has passed through all the guests!

4. In the Chinese tea ceremony, the fourth stage, called “high jet rinsing,” is considered the key moment. At this moment, water heated to 85 degrees is poured into the yixin from a height of at least 50 cm. It is important to regulate the stream; it should be very thin and murmuring. Fill the kettle to the very brim.

5. Then use a porcelain spoon to remove the formed bubbles that look like foam and the rising leaves of the drink, cover the kettle with a lid and leave for 2 minutes. Then the first brew is poured into a separate container and put aside.

6. The sixth stage of Chinese tea drinking is brewing tea for the guests to drink. Lightly steamed leaves are poured with water from a height of 10-15 cm, filling the blue to the very edges.

Important: it is the “low” jet that guarantees high-quality infusion of the drink.

7. Final stage: open the blue and again remove bubbles and floating leaves from the surface. Then the kettle is closed again and left for another half a minute or 40-50 seconds. The aging time corresponds to the type of tea.

Serving tea

The most interesting and pleasant moment of the Chinese tea ceremony comes, when the aroma of the drink permeates every guest - the tea is poured into gaiwans. In the Taiwanese version, a Cha Hai jug is used at this stage.

When draining the tea leaves, hold it with your left hand with a soft cloth, each time wiping the spout of the dish from moisture and leaves. If the drink gets on the dishes or creates splashes, they are immediately removed with a cloth.

After the tea has been poured into the gaiwan or jug, the Chinese tea ceremony continues as follows:

The owner of the house or the master (in the case of a restaurant) pours tea from a jug;
From the gaiwan, guests can pour the drink into the tea pair themselves.

Important: a tall cup in a pair is used to enjoy the aroma of the drink, and a low cup is used to evaluate the taste and color.

You can brew tea several times in a row. Oolong, for example, is perfectly steamed for 4-8 times, and pu-erh can give off its aromatic properties up to 16 brews in a row.

How to drink a drink during the ceremony?

Any Chinese tea ceremony is about enjoying the aroma and being able to appreciate it. To facilitate the ritual, they came up with a tea pair with low and high cups. After the tea is poured into a tall container, it is closed with a cup so that not a single note of aroma is lost.

Having enjoyed the aroma, you can start drinking: bring a wide cup to your lips, enjoy the color and take three sips. The first is small, the second is main and large, and the third is the final small one. Thanks to the ritual, the right combination of notes is created: the first aroma, the main taste and a delicate aftertaste.

Interesting: during tea drinking they drink more than 7 cups of the drink. Moreover, the first seven are mandatory and very important. After the first cup, a person gets acquainted with the tea and tries to understand its taste. After the second, he relaxes and forgets about the accumulated negativity. After the third, the brain is charged with vigor, and the fourth calms and dissolves all problems in a beautiful atmosphere. The fifth cup helps cleanse the body, and the sixth “opens” the mind. The seventh cup promotes maximum relaxation and relaxation.

After the tea ceremony is completed, the master or owner of the house removes the leaves from the yixin and puts them in a box so that guests can enjoy the fully opened leaves. At this stage, the guests thank the tea for the gift of relaxation, and the owner for the wonderful choice of raw materials.

Cleaning the dishes completes any tea ceremony. While the guests enjoy the aroma of the used leaves, the master removes all the remnants of the drink and yuan tea leaves and rinses the teapot with boiling water. Modern detergents are never used to care for the kettle.

All dishes included in the ceremony set are washed first with boiling water, then with warm water. Leave to dry in a clean place without using towels.

The Chinese tea ceremony is an interesting and unusual way of relaxation that can be organized at home. Watch a video of the correct tea drinking process, write down all the subtleties and nuances, buy tea and the necessary set, and you will get an unforgettable option for relaxation and clearing your mind of all negativity!

China is one of the most colorful countries in the world. Here lives a nation that sincerely respects its history, strives to preserve traditions and carefully treats everything that reminds of family and ancestors. The process of drinking tea here is turned into a whole ceremony, which is filled with deep meaning and gives true enlightenment to each participant.

Basics of tea drinking in China

The period of drinking tea by the Chinese lasted for thousands of years, although the conquest of the world with this valuable drink began only in the 16th century. Around the 15th century, the tea ceremony in the Middle Kingdom acquired its traditional appearance, the stages were finally formed and a set of tea utensils was established.

Why did such a philosophical and respectful attitude towards tea and its consumption originate in China? Tea here has always been considered an expensive product and very beneficial for health, so only wealthy people could afford to drink this drink, and rare loose leaf teas were consumed exclusively by the imperial family. In addition, the process of growing, collecting and processing leaves was kept secret for a long time, and seeds, and especially tea bushes, were forbidden to be exported outside the state. For any disobedience, serious punishment was imposed, including execution.

Each stage, in accordance with which certain actions are carried out to introduce, prepare and consume a hot aromatic drink, is filled with a special meaning. They are designed to give a person peace, pleasure, help him to know himself and understand others. A foreigner may view the Chinese tea ceremony as a theatrical act, but every resident of the Middle Kingdom experiences every stage of it on a spiritual level.

Oolongs are most often used in the tea ceremony.

It’s not for nothing that the family takes great care of the tea sets that they inherited from their ancestors. There is also a tradition of regular gatherings of all family members on weekends, at home or in a restaurant, to express the children's respect for their parents and vice versa. Drinking tea together strengthens family ties and preserves traditions.

They say that if the ceremony is carried out according to all the rules and each participant has previously prepared spiritually and morally, you can cleanse your mind and soul of negativity, restore good relationships with others, and even come to an understanding with your companions. It is not for nothing that traditional tea parties are included in the program of many business negotiations and meetings, even at the national level.

In the East they believe that if you follow traditions and do everything the way your ancestors did, you can restore balance and harmony between the outside and inner world, stop time and even reverse the course of events. This is why there are no secondary things or rituals in Chinese tea drinking. Every little detail is important here, from the size of the spoon used to pour the tea to the tiny inscription on the cup.

Stages

The Chinese tea ceremony is the basis of many similar traditions for which Japan, Korea and other countries are known. According to the rules, it should be held in a tea house, where there is no bright lighting, the color palette is muted, beige-brown, gray-green, repeating the main natural colors. Flowers can be placed in a vase; quiet Chinese music and sounds of nature can be played in the room. Everything should relax, calm and set you up for the sacrament. A prerequisite is the presence of a large table, at which all guests will be comfortable and where all the dishes can be freely placed.

The owner of the house or the master who is invited to conduct the ceremony arranges the dishes beautifully and in a certain order, heats the water in a kettle or a special pot. Now you can begin actions that may seem ritual to a stranger.

The following stages of classic tea drinking are distinguished:

Wen Hu Tang Bei involves heating and rinsing the yixin, the procedure lasts 2-3 minutes. The point is to remove possible dust particles from the dishes and prepare them for brewing tea. First, hot water from the kettle is poured into the yixin, bowls or cups are rinsed from it, and then the teapot itself is rinsed. Everything is done on a tray with a drip tray where the water drains.
Zhan Shan Jia Ming involves introducing each participant to the type of tea chosen for the ceremony. Dry tea leaves are poured into Cha-Hae and passed from one guest to another. Each of them, lifting the lid of the vessel, inhales its aroma and evaluates it. Familiarization occurs in a circle from left to right. First, the participant in the ceremony must warm the tea leaves with his breath, and then enjoy its aroma, color and beauty of the twisted dry leaves. At the same time, a conversation can be held praising the tea, the pleasant atmosphere, the experience of the master, and so on.
Wu Long Ru Long is the preparation and pouring of the required amount of tea leaves into Yixin. This is done with a small bamboo spoon, which holds approximately 15 grams of tea leaves, which is designed for 50 ml of water - the volume of a standard bowl. Since yixing can have a volume from 150 to 350 ml, from 3 to 7 heaped spoons of tea leaves are poured into it.
Suan Hu Gao Chong - involves washing the tea leaves from dust and preparing the leaves for the main brew. This is done in a sizzle, into which water heated to the desired temperature is poured in a high stream, making gurgling sounds. Here it is important to maintain the desired water temperature and not overexpose the leaves in it. The tea must be cleaned of possible dust and impurities and slightly softened in order to maximize its taste and aroma during the main brewing. The height of the stream of water that pours out of the kettle also plays a role. It can reach 70 cm; the entire kettle is filled to the brim with water.
Chun Feng Fu Mian is a procedure for cleansing tea leaves filled with water from debris and impurities. This is done using a porcelain spoon. After the bubbles and specks are removed, close the lid of the yisin and keep the tea in it for 1-2 minutes. Next, the water is poured into a separate container - this infusion is not consumed.
Zai Zhu Qing Kuan - involves brewing softened leaves with hot water. The height of the water stream that is poured from the teapot into Yixing should not exceed 15 cm. It is believed that the lower the water stream, the slower and better quality the tea is brewed. The result is the first true tea.
Mom Lin Gai is the repeated cleansing of blue from bubbles, foam and floating leaves. The Yixin is closed with a lid and after 30-60 seconds you can begin serving the ceremony participants.

Tea drinking is always hosted by the owner of the house. After the tea is brewed, it is poured into the so-called cup of justice, or Cha-Hai, where it is mixed and the flavor is evenly distributed. From Cha-Hai the drink is poured into bowls. First, the drink is served to the oldest guests, thereby expressing their respect and respect. The procedure for drinking tea directly can be repeated several times depending on what type of tea was used. If it is a high-quality oolong, then the fox is filled with water up to 6 times, and if it is pu-erh, then up to 10-16 times.

Clay yixin is the best vessel for brewing elite tea

When the bowl is brought to the mouth, etiquette allows for no more than three sips of tea. The first small one prepares the taste buds for perception. The second full one allows you to evaluate the taste, and the third, also small, is designed to form an aftertaste. Then the ritual is repeated until the liquid in the bowl runs out. If bowls with a volume of less than 50 ml are used, the entire drink can be drunk in 5 or 7 sips.

At the end of the ceremony, the host can lay out all the yin leaves and offer them to the guests for review and in order to show gratitude to them for the wonderful taste and pastime. After this, all the dishes are thoroughly rinsed with boiling water and left on Cha-Pani. No chemical antiseptics or detergents are used. After drying, the dishes are carefully polished with a linen cloth.

During the ceremony in China it is customary to communicate. This is a lively conversation on various topics, although not as active as at home or at work. A person subconsciously relaxes, and therefore his speech and thoughts are put in order, becoming unhurried and deep. It is not customary to bring up family problems in public, so the topic of conversation is usually abstract and positive.

Chinese traditions do not require frequent ceremony. Tea drinking, according to all national rules, is held on special occasions from weddings to birthdays. But in order to preserve traditions and unite loved ones and friends, weekly participation in the ceremony is considered the most correct.

Teaware

The utensils used for tea drinking are selected no less carefully than the tea leaves themselves. The greatest value is that which belongs to more than one generation of the family. In the era of emperors, one could tell by the dishes and their decor about the class to which its owner belonged. This was indicated by the colors of the dishes and the inscriptions on them. Traditionally, tableware for the tea ceremony in China is a set of:

a cauldron in which soft spring water is heated to the desired temperature;
a set of gaiwan, which is equal to the number of guests or a set of bowls and saucers;
a teapot with an average volume of about 300 ml, in which the leaves are brewed - blue;
bowls in which ready-made tea poured from yixing is mixed - cha-hai;
a special Cha-hye box in which tea is offered to guests for review;
Chapani - a stylized tray on which all the dishes are placed;
strainer for blue;
a porcelain spoon for removing bubbles and debris during the first and second brewing;
a special bamboo spoon, with which the required amount of tea is measured.

The tea ceremony held in mainland China is different from that in Taiwan. The differences relate to some changes in the stages of tea drinking and the presence of additional devices in the teaware. But the essence and quality of the prepared drink remains unchanged.

Tea traditions

China is a country where family ties are especially revered. That is why there are such traditions as:

family meeting;
sign of respect;
expression of gratitude;
apology, etc.

Drinking tea together is a way to maintain strong family ties

At a wedding, to unite the whole family, the newlyweds serve a bowl of tea to each guest, thereby expressing their respect and respect for their relatives. In addition, the wedding ceremony serves as a unique way for the newlyweds to meet each other’s relatives, of whom there are sometimes a lot. In addition, an important point is that young people serve tea to their parents. They kneel down and present bowls with the best drink.

Parents, in turn, take bowls, drink tea and give their children a scarlet envelope, symbolizing good luck.

To express sincere regret, which can almost never be rejected, the tea ceremony is also used. The same applies to expressing gratitude. To reunite the family, parents and children have tea together at least occasionally, even when the families are far from each other. Such family meetings are held on Sundays in the parent's home or restaurant.

Drinking tea in China can be compared to meditation. This is a leisurely, relaxing ritual in which every movement is filled with meaning and is performed taking into account special rules. This is one of the most colorful national traditions, which is more than 5 hundred years old.