Sunday, January 22, 2012

Happy New Year of the Dragon!

During the Qing dynasty, the Dragon was the symbol for the emperor. The Dragon represents more than just a very powerful, mythical animal. Very adaptable, the dragon can swim, walk and fly. And like the emperor, the dragon is a link between Earth and Heaven. He connects men with the spiritual forces.

From there, we can see a more modern interpretation of the symbolism of the Dragon: creativity! Each time we aim for doing things differently, that we innovate, that we add beauty to our daily lives, we are rising like a dragon. The Chinese dragon isn't bad or good. It's more what we do with him. But one thing is certain: dragons and creative change generate lots of energy. 
 
Tea can be a place to start unleashing the dragon in you. This beverage is also a connection between body and mind. The water and nutrients it contains nourish the body, and its essence fulfills the mind. It can transport us in space and time (to plantations and/or our memories). Buddhist monks even find a spiritual, zen experience in drinking tea!

Brewing tea is an exercise of creativity, because it requires from us that we adapt our vessel, cups, presentation (Cha Xi) and our technique to the tea and mood we want to express.

So, my wish for this year of the Dragon is that your tea satisfy both your body and mind. And one way to do that, I think, is to be creative!

(PS: While gathering my thoughts about this article, I remembered that I received this verse from Luke 4:4 for my confirmation: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." I find this spiritual meaning nicely fitting as it shows that we need both material and spiritual energies!)

8 comments:

Israel said...

Happy Year of the Dragon! May you have a creatively fulfilling year.

Thank you for the teas, thoughts and photographs you shared during the Year of the Rabbit.

Gan Bei!

Steph said...

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái!

Steve said...

Happy New Year of the Dragon to you and your family!

Steve

Dulac said...

Joyeuse année du Dragon à vous, Stéphane!


Dulac

"L'inspiration est décidément la soeur du travail journalier. Ces deux contraires ne s'excluent pas plus que tous les contraires qui constituent la nature." ~Baudelaire

Anonymous said...

I'm not the one to offer
Three Turning Phrases
I'll just brew you some tea
on this flat ledge of rock,
offer thoughts from the heart.
You taught seven emperors
using an ageless tune
here the very river water
flowing before the hall
is an understanding friend.

Baisao

(translated by Norman Waddell)

merlin said...

Je vous souhaite une joyeuse année du dragon !

Merlin

Michel said...

what a message Stéphane

Your Tea can touch Deep ...

TeaMasters said...

Thanks and Happy New Year to all of you!