水shuǐ為wéi茶chá之zhī母mǔ器qì為wéi茶chá之zhī父fù

What does 水為茶之母器為茶之父 (shuǐ wéi chá zhī mǔ qì wéi chá zhī fù) mean?

水為茶之母器為茶之父 (shuǐ wéi chá zhī mǔ qì wéi chá zhī fù) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "Water is tea's mother, the vessel is tea's father." In use it means: The quality of tea depends not only on the leaves themselves but equally on the water used to brew it and the vessel that holds it. All three must be worthy for tea to reach its full expression. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Water note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rabbit.

Literally: "Water is tea's mother, the vessel is tea's father."

The reading

Tea masters across centuries have returned to this principle again and again. The finest leaves, brewed with flat or mineral-heavy water in a poorly chosen pot, produce something ordinary. But modest leaves, given spring water and a seasoned Yixing clay teapot, can surprise with depth and fragrance. The lesson extends well beyond the tea table. What surrounds and supports a thing shapes its character as much as its own nature.

What kind of proverb it is

• Typeyànyǔ 諺語
• FocusPresent-minded
• Element水 Water
• Zodiac tie兔 Year of the Rabbit

Source Ming dynasty tea culture tradition, attributed to Zhang Dafu (張大復), Meishuan Conghua (梅花草堂筆談)

Sits beside

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Harmony, Virtue & Balance, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.