Tea Mythology and Lore

Tea has been around for a really long time. Like, thousands of years. In that time, a lot of stories have arisen in different parts of the world to explain the origin of one of the oldest drinks known to humankind. 

The first legend is about the Chinese emperor Shen Nung, who lived about 5000 years ago. It is said that a single leaf blew into a pot of water that was being boiled for the emperor. Shen Nung found that the water had improved taste and seemed to have a stimulating effect.

An artistic rendering of the event

A Buddha statue in a Japanese tea garden

India has it's own version of the origin of tea. According to the story, tea was created by the Buddha. During a pilgrimage to China, the Buddha took a vow to meditate without sleeping for nine years. After a time, he did fall asleep, and was enraged at himself when he woke up. He tore his eyelids off and threw them to the ground. The eyelids grew into a plant with leaves shaped like the torn off eyelids. The Buddha began to chew the leaves of the plant and found himself renewed. He took this, the first tea plant, with him on his pilgrimage through China. Again, this is a story, as there is no actual evidence to support that the Buddha ever even went to China.

Kuan Yin, the beautiful, multiple armed goddess

Another story about tea in China has to do with a popular tea, Ti Kuan Yin. According to the legend, Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, presented tea as a gift to a devout farmer who diligently maintained her old, run down temple. Inside the temple was an iron statue of Kuan Yin that followers could pray to. One day, the statue appeared to come to life before the farmer's eyes. He fell to his knees and the goddess spoke to him. "The key for your future is just outside this temple. Nourish it with tenderness; it will support you and yours for generations to come." When the farmer left the temple, he discovered a small, withered plant. After caring for the plant for some time, the bush grew strong with thick green leaves. Out of curiosity, the farmer dried the leaves of the plant in a stone wok. The leaves turned a similar colour to the iron statue of the goddess. The farmer infused these leaves into water and discovered that the drink was the most delicious thing he had ever drank, and dubbed it Ti

Kuan Yin, the tea of Kuan Yin.

Tea has fascinating history, mythological or factual. It's interesting to see how different regions of the world have similar stories, adapting them over the years to fit their cultural differences. One thing that's certain is that tea is has a worldwide presence, and I hope that it stays that way for many thousands of years to come.

Toodles!