Tieguanyin, one of the most famous teas in China, is renowned both at home and abroad for its unique aroma, flavor and health benefits. However, have you ever wondered why this tea is named "Tieguanyin"? What is the story and meaning behind it?
Legend Traceability: Goddess of Mercy manifested her spirit and bestowed the good tea.
There are many versions of the origin of the name Tieguanyin, the most widely known of which is the legend of the "manifestation of the Goddess of Mercy".
According to legend, in Xiping Village, Anxi County, Fujian Province, there was a pious tea farmer named Wang Shijiang. He had been growing tea for generations and had a deep affection for tea. One day, Wang Shijiang made a wish in front of the statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and prayed that she would bless him to grow better tea.
At night, Wang Shijiang dreamed that the Goddess of Mercy manifested herself and guided him to the edge of a cliff. When Wang Shijiang woke up, he followed the guidance of the dream to the edge of the cliff, and found a strange tea tree. The tea tree's branches and leaves were green and lush, the leaves were thick and glossy, and the shape was like the sitting posture of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy.
Wang Shijiang transplanted the tea tree home and took good care of it. A few years later, the tea tree grew into a mature, picked tea leaves after brewing, rich aroma, mellow flavor, long aftertaste. Wang Shijean was deeply convinced that the tea was a gift from the Goddess of Mercy, so he named it "Iron Goddess of Mercy".
Shaped like Guanyin and colored like iron
Another way of saying it is that the origin of the name Tieguanyin is related to its shape and color. Iron Goddess of Mercy tea buds and leaves, color and lustre, heavy like iron; after brewing, the tea broth is amber-colored, clear and bright. The shape of the tea leaves, after roasting, the leaves curl upwards, resembling the sitting posture of the Goddess of Mercy. Therefore, it is reasonable to name this tea as "Iron Goddess of Mercy".
The Emperor gave it a name and it became famous
Another theory is that the name Tieguanyin was given by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. According to legend, in the sixth year of the Qianlong reign, Anxi tea farmer Wang Shijiang brought Tieguanyin tea leaves to Beijing as tribute. When Emperor Qianlong tasted the tea, he was so impressed with the aroma and flavor that he gave it the name "Tieguanyin".
Since then, the fame of Tieguanyin has spread far and wide, and it has become a famous tea at home and abroad.
Tieguanyin's cultural symbolism
Regardless of the origin of the name Tieguanyin, it carries a deep cultural significance.
The character "Tie" symbolizes the solid and steady quality of the tea, just like the compassion and wisdom of the Goddess of Mercy. The character "Guanyin" represents the aroma and flavor of the tea, which is pleasing to the mind and body and leaves a long lasting aftertaste.
Tieguanyin is not only a kind of tea, but also a cultural symbol, representing the traditional culture and spirit of the Chinese nation.
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