Chinese tea utensils and "tea pets" (ornaments for the tea table) often feature unique motifs such as the three-legged toad, the dignified lion, and lotus flowers and leaves. These are not merely decorative; they are "auspicious patterns" (kissho-monyo) imbued with thousands of years of Eastern folklore and prayers for the user's happiness and prosperity. We unravel the roots of these iconic designs.
1. Jin Chan (Three-Legged Toad): The Legendary Mythical Creature That Attracts and Protects Wealth
The Jin Chan, a "three-legged toad" with one hind leg and two front legs, is China's most beloved symbol of wealth. It originates from a Taoist legend in which the Jin Chan was disciplined by the immortal Liu Haichan and reformed, subsequently spitting out gold, silver, and treasures to help the poor. As a symbol of "bringing money into the home," it is placed on desks with its head facing inward.
2. Auspicious Lion (Auspicious Lion): The King of Beasts Bestows Protection and Dignity
The lion, which arrived in China from the Western Regions alongside Buddhism, was considered a sacred, spiritual beast that protected the Dharma. Much like the stone lions placed in front of palaces and temples in China, lion-shaped lid rests and ornaments on the tea table serve as symbols of "peace and protection," warding off evil and safeguarding the space.
3. Lotus Leaf (Lotus): Emerging from the Mud Untainted (Integrity and Purity)
Because the lotus blooms with pure, beautiful, large flowers from muddy water, it is the ultimate symbol of "purity," "noble character," and "innocence." Furthermore, in Chinese, the word for lotus leaf (liányè) is a homophone for "lian" (meaning continuous or successive), signifying an unending chain of happiness.
At SEKIMONO, we create the Jin Chan Tu Rui Copper Tea Scoop and the Auspicious Lion Copper Lion Lid Rest, which express these beautiful Eastern tales through hand-hammered, chased copper.
The metalworking technique in which artisans carve patterns with a chisel is explained in detail in An Appreciation of Hand-Hammered Metalwork and Chasing.
