Know the Spirit of Tea

Tea, in a sense, brings about a wholly religious and cultural experience. From the moment one takes a slight sip from a cup to the point when one has had it to one's full satisfaction. With respect to all tea drinkers out there, here is the essence of tea drinking.

In almost all parts of the world, tea drinking has never been without personal style and glamour. Perhaps, moreover, some might have even considered ethics and manners. There has been Chinese Tea Arts, Japanese Tea Ceremony, Korean Tea Ritual and British Tea Culture or tea party for as long as we could remember. These practices had been long with various sophistication and ethnicity that it is well honored and respected from generations to generations, from time and time again. It is most comforting to know that, even in this aspect of human behavior, we are one and the same through the drinking of tea.

The Chinese Tea Arts has been well known worldwide for its simplicity and meaningfulness. So much so that other cultures have adapted to it.

It is said that the Chinese are one of the tea pioneers and were once the leading expert when it comes to tea drinking. In fact, they have had this Chinese Tea Arts for a really long time. This Tea Ceremony has not only been a thing of the past but is still practiced up to now, not merely ceremony but culture as well.

In China, people drink tea to pay their respects to their elders, during family get-togethers, as a sign of reconciliation, to bond with long missed relatives or during wedding days. Tea drinking in China has been both a done on a daily routine and can be for matters of occasion.

The term tea in itself has had the origin of being called so from the idea that it comes from either an herb or a tree — or both.

As a sign of respect, it has been Chinese custom for someone of a lower rank to serve tea to the superior. It implies observance of recognition and willingness to do. But, now, after much time has passed since the olden times and traditionalism, service of tea has been different. In a way, even with respect, the boss might serve his subordinates in any given place — it might be in an office, a restaurant or at home, as a sign of welcoming respect. As, before, elders were served with tea, so now the young too are served. Still, tea drinking, as a sign of respect, does well in showing a loving gesture.

During family get-togethers, usually on a Sunday, it is in Chinese custom to meet up with their parents and have tea together. Since before and now that, moreover, children are married or find jobs elsewhere, they don't usually see or converse much with their parents anymore. Being grandparents even, some don't have the luxury of time to spend with their grandchildren. Whenever there's a meeting of such, between parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren, tea has been an appropriate beverage served.

It is most seen, even in the movies, that tea has been used to reconcile with friends, family or anyone else. As a sign of deep regret or humility, one would usually express one's sincerity with the pouring of tea for the offended and serving it. This gesture can be seen in a student and master relationship, a non-marital or marital romantic relationship, work, in close family ties, and in friendship. An act of submission so simple, exemplified by tea service alone.

As marriage, ever since the dawn of history, is a great deal of commitment, so does tea play a vital role in the expression of a long-term union. This goes for the wedding ceremony. It is tradition that the groom and the wife serve tea to their parents. It would therefore imply their gratitude and commitment, moreover, when said would be, "We thank you for taking care for us up to this day of our marriage and we owe you this." The wife would serve tea to the groom's parents to signify her being a part of the groom's family. As, then, the parents would usually take a slight sip on the tea and hand the couple a monetary gift in the form of a red envelope. This is one important role that tea has. Even in true love, there is tea.

Usually, in social gatherings and reunions, service tea is served in the Chinese culture. Tea compliments as well as tells the guests, "You are welcome here." In wedding ceremonies, tea is usually given by the couple themselves to the guests so that they may be called by their official title. The guests would then accept to agree of the couple's union. To do otherwise would be a sign of great disapproval and disrespect. The old married couples, when introduced, would then give red envelopes to the newly married and the newly married would do so the same to the unmarried. This shows how tea, indeed, plays a crucial role in this real life scenario — both in tradition and relations.

There is also the most notable tea gesture: the finger tapping. It originates from an old story that has been passed down from one generation to another. In a certain Chinese area, it is said that there lived this emperor who travelled many lands. It was understood that the servants would not reveal their superior's identity for various reasons, most probably safety. In a restaurant, one day, the emperor himself poured himself tea, and, together, he poured too into his servant's cup. By this, the servant was honored and wanted to kneel down to recognize this kind gesture. Unable to do so, thinking it would reveal his master's identity, as an instant reaction, the servant bent his fingers and knocked them on the table to acknowledge. In tradition, most often than not, the Chinese would do this peculiarly interesting finger tapping. In is most used to thank the tea server for the service of tea.

In the Chinese community tea has its place. With this, the people are grateful for it. So must we. This is the essence of tea and it will always be respected.