When it comes to Tea sets, there is actually a proper way to use them for brewing tea leaves, and even the placement of the tea sets has its own Etiquette. Tea tables became popular in China after the Qing Dynasty. From Ming Dynasty paintings, we can see that incense tables also served as tea tables at the time. It wasn't until the Qing Dynasty that tea tables separated from incense tables and evolved into an independent new type of furniture.
Generally speaking, tea tables are smaller and some are made in two tiers, which makes them relatively easy to distinguish from incense tables. In the Qing Dynasty, tea tables were rarely placed alone but often set between two armchairs, arranged in sets on both sides of the hall. Since they were used in sets between chairs, their form, decoration, inlaid tabletops, materials, and colors tended to follow the style of the chairs.
Different shapes, materials, and colors of tea tables represent different elements and connotations, forming an important landscape in the feng shui of the reception area.
I. Placement of the Tea Table
When selecting a tea table, it is preferable to choose one that is low and flat.
If a person sits on a sofa, the tea table should not be higher than their knees, which is considered ideal. Additionally, there must be sufficient space between the sofa and the tea table placed in front of it; if they are too close together, it would be inconvenient.
(1) The arrangement of tea sets should be reasonable, practical, and aesthetically pleasing, with attention to layers and lines. Beautifully arranged tea sets can bring elegance and leisure to the living space.
(2) When placing teapots and teacups, do so in an orderly manner, ensuring balance on both sides and avoiding obstructions.
(3) If there are obstructions, arrange the items from lowest to highest, placing shorter items like teacups in front of the guests' line of sight.
II. Position of the Tea Table
In the living room, the tea table is typically placed beside or in front of the sofa.
III. Shape of the Tea Table
The shape of the tea table, with rectangular and oval being the most desirable, and round ones are also acceptable;
tea tables with sharp corners should be avoided.
Some young people may prefer uniquely shaped tea tables, but from a feng shui perspective, extremely unique shapes are not ideal.
IV. Size of the Tea Table
Undoubtedly, the sofa is the main element while the tea table is secondary;
the sofa is like a mountain (taller), and the tea table is like water (lower), and they must complement each other to adhere to the principles of feng shui.
The sofa is the main element and should be taller, while the tea table is secondary and should be lower. If the tea table is too large, it can overpower the sofa, which is not auspicious. Therefore, the tea table in front of the sofa should not be too big. If the tea table in front of the sofa is too large, this creates a situation where the secondary element overpowers the main one, which should be avoided to maintain household harmony. The simplest solution is to replace it with a smaller tea table, ensuring a harmonious relationship between the main and secondary elements, which will not only look better but also conform to the principles of feng shui.
V. Color of the Tea Table
The color choice for the tea table should ideally align with the host's preferred element according to their birth chart, which can further enhance their luck.
For example, someone whose birth chart favors wood could choose a green series tea table; those whose birth chart favors fire could choose red or purple series tea tables; those whose birth chart favors water could choose black or Blue series colors; those whose birth chart favors metal could choose white series; and those whose birth chart favors earth could choose yellow or earthy yellow series.
VI. Material of the Tea Table
Based on the host's preferred element in their birth chart and their profession, the following choices can be made:
People engaged in creative design and performance industries are suitable for wooden tea tables;
those involved in politics and finance are suitable for glass tea tables;
those in logistics and international trade could opt for copper tea tables;
those in education and the beauty industry could choose rattan tea tables;
those in real estate, catering, and medicine could select plastic tea tables.
People also commonly choose stone or wood tea tables, symbolizing stability and authority to improve their luck, and place them in the northwest corner to strengthen the foundation of their careers.