Each teapot is usually hand crafted with ornate designs. A tetsubin is held in the left hand with spout facing the right, as traditional in Japanese tea ceremonies, you can typically view the intricate design or embellishments on this side of the teapot. Often, Japanese symbols were used on cast iron teapots.
For example, the symbol of a dragon on a Japanese tetsubin is a popular design for those that want to exhibit power and strength. Each Japanese symbol has special meaning as listed below:
- Chrysanthemum: Symbolizes autumn harvest. Rich & beautiful, filled with hope.
- Cherry Blossom: National flower of Japan; symbol for beauty
- Coins: Prosperity
- Dragon: Power, strength, and good fortune
- Dragonfly: New beginnings and good fortune; marriage
- Elephant: Mighty and kind.
- Fire: Warmth and Romance
- Ginkgo: Memory and energy
- Gourd: Good health and long life
- Hobnail: Strength
- Horse: Leadership, intelligence and loyalty.
- Lotus: A symbol of purity and enlightenment. The lotus comes out of the mire but it is not itself soiled.
- Maple Leaf: Spriritual growth
- Monkey: Quick witted & full with energy.
- Pine Needle: Friendship and long life
- Plum Blossom: Beauty, strength & will power. One of the only flowers that withstands the cold & bloom in spring
- Rabbit: Happiness, fertility, good luck, and family unity
- Rooster: High energy and full of warrior’s spirits. Praise those who bring good news at day break.
- Ripple Pattern: Positive energy and infinity
- Sea Wave & Sea Foam: Positive Change
- Serpent: Wisdom
- Shogun Warrior’s Armor: Strength and courage
- Sun: Happiness
- Tatara Designed Pots: Special edition pots that fuse all styles. Designed by artist Tatara which have unique texture and shape.
- Tea leaf: Good health. The holes in the leaf indicate that the leaf is organic, no pesticide, bugs like to eat the leaf.
- Tiger: King of the wild animals, the tiger is a symbol of courage and bravery and it can drive off demons, is a powerful protection.
- Wind: Serenity
Photo credits & source: teavana.com, loveleaftea.com
