If you've ever seen a small ceramic animal sitting quietly on a Gongfu tea tray while being drenched in tea, you're already familiar with a beautiful part of Chinese tea culture: tea pets.
As the founder of Roytea, I love sharing not just the teas I enjoy every day, but also the rituals and objects that make tea more than just a drink. One of my favorites? The Pixiu tea pet — especially one that changes color with heat.
Let me introduce you to a charming piece of tea table magic.
☯️ What Are Tea Pets?
Tea pets (茶宠, chá chǒng) have been part of Chinese tea culture for over a thousand years. Traditionally made from Yixing clay or ceramic, they’re decorative companions that live on your tea tray.
But they're not just cute — they have meaning.
You pour hot water or leftover tea over your tea pet during Gongfu Cha sessions. Over time, they absorb the tea, develop a natural shine, and are believed to bring luck, personality, and peace to the tea-drinking space.
🐉 The Pixiu: Guardian of Wealth and Transformation
One of the most iconic tea pets is the Pixiu (pronounced pee-shyoh, Chinese: 貔貅). In Chinese mythology, the Pixiu is a guardian creature known for:
Attracting wealth
Repelling bad energy
Bringing protection to its owner
It’s often used in Feng Shui, business spaces, and — of course — tea sessions.
The Pixiu tea pet we feature at Roytea has a magical twist: it changes color when hot water is poured over it. It's both symbolic and interactive — like watching a myth come to life right on your tea table.
🔥 Why a Color-Changing Tea Pet?
I love introducing meaningful elements into everyday rituals. This Pixiu is more than decoration — it's a moment of surprise and connection.
When you pour hot water or tea on the Pixiu, its colors shift, revealing its form and spirit in a beautiful way. It reminds me that tea is a practice of change, warmth, and mindfulness.
And since tea pets are meant to evolve with time, the more tea you pour, the more personality it gains.
🍵 Bring a Pixiu Tea Pet to Your Tea Table
Whether you're new to Gongfu tea or already steeping every day, a tea pet is a perfect addition to your tea setup.
At Roytea, I carefully choose tea companions that balance tradition with playfulness — just like this heat-reactive Pixiu.
If you want to add meaning, movement, and a little magic to your tea ritual, this might be your new favorite tea friend.
👉 Click here to meet the Color-Changing Pixiu Tea Pet
