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Although the first fine china tea sets were used over 5,000 years ago, many ancient customs from that time are still popular today.
One of the customs is finger tapping, which amazes many who are new to the world of Chinese tea. It is a gesture that shows your respect to your host.
As the Chinese tea customs go, when tea is served, the guests should thank their host for the tea. However, many find it interesting that rather than say it, the Chinese simply tap the table with three of their fingers (the middle, index, and ring fingers). Each time you get your cup refilled, you repeat the gesture.
You may think this comes from some strange, mystical superstition. But really, this custom comes from a very real incident during the Qing dynasty.
The Qing emperor loved to travel throughout China in disguise and secretly observed the life of his subjects. Wherever the emperor went, he would never miss his favorite place: the local tea house.
Then on one occasion, the emperor cam across a tea house in a very small village where the waiters could bend their bodies in almost inhuman ways to serve tea around the table. The emperor wanted to tries this pay of pouring tea.
Custom demanded that people bow before their emperor, and it was unimaginable if the emperor ever poured you tea! So they had to thank the emperor for the tea. But at this time they couldn't bow to their emperor, or his disguise would be ruined.
One of the companions had an idea, and he tapped three of his fingers on the table as a symbol of bow to his emperor.
And that's how this custom was started. This story spread all around the country, and before long everyone was doing the same thing. It was the latest addition to Chinese tea culture!
Whenever you're enjoying a great cup of tea, particularly if it's from a fine china tea set, be sure to thank your host in the most traditional way: tap your fingers! - 24553
One of the customs is finger tapping, which amazes many who are new to the world of Chinese tea. It is a gesture that shows your respect to your host.
As the Chinese tea customs go, when tea is served, the guests should thank their host for the tea. However, many find it interesting that rather than say it, the Chinese simply tap the table with three of their fingers (the middle, index, and ring fingers). Each time you get your cup refilled, you repeat the gesture.
You may think this comes from some strange, mystical superstition. But really, this custom comes from a very real incident during the Qing dynasty.
The Qing emperor loved to travel throughout China in disguise and secretly observed the life of his subjects. Wherever the emperor went, he would never miss his favorite place: the local tea house.
Then on one occasion, the emperor cam across a tea house in a very small village where the waiters could bend their bodies in almost inhuman ways to serve tea around the table. The emperor wanted to tries this pay of pouring tea.
Custom demanded that people bow before their emperor, and it was unimaginable if the emperor ever poured you tea! So they had to thank the emperor for the tea. But at this time they couldn't bow to their emperor, or his disguise would be ruined.
One of the companions had an idea, and he tapped three of his fingers on the table as a symbol of bow to his emperor.
And that's how this custom was started. This story spread all around the country, and before long everyone was doing the same thing. It was the latest addition to Chinese tea culture!
Whenever you're enjoying a great cup of tea, particularly if it's from a fine china tea set, be sure to thank your host in the most traditional way: tap your fingers! - 24553
About the Author:
D. Cheng has written about Chinese culture, calligraphy, and arts & crafts such as porcelain china tea sets for years. Sometimes, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. See samples of quality China tea sets.
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