Five Tastes Traditional Tea
“Five Tastes Traditional Tea” is the officially registered trademark for our teas.
Our trademark is related to a Wu Xing concept of Chinese medicine or the concept of the Five Elements. Wu Xing is a fivefold conceptual scheme that it is known to be used in Chinese culture to explain a wide range of phenomena.
On the one hand, the word “five” makes reference to the traditional five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. On the other hand, the word “tastes” makes reference to widely accepted basic tastes: sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness, and pungency. The combination of “five tastes” makes reference to the interactions and nourishment relationships between the tastes and internal organs in Chinese culture, in other words, sourness nourishes the liver, bitterness helps the heart, sweetness nourishes the spleen, pungency aids the lungs, and saltiness strengthens the kidney.
The importance of balancing the five different tastes means to develop wholesome eating habits and prevent health issues.
Crane (he 鹤)
The crane is a symbol of longevity because of its long life span and its white feathers standing for old age. It also represents high status as the crane is regarded as “a bird of the first rank” in the imperial hierarchy in China. Flying cranes symbolize a wish or hope to become an official in a higher position. There is also a kung fu style known as “white crane” which is famous for its elegance.
The white cranes are often associated with Gods in Chinese mythology. In many legends, the immortal spirits ride the crane and soar through the skies.
Pine (song 松)
Because it is evergreen, the pine is regarded as a symbol of long life and endurance. Unlike most other trees, the pine does not wither during winter and thus represents noble endurance in the face of adversity and is often depicted as a popular and auspicious motif in Chinese decorative arts. Pine trees are frequently featured in Chinese landscape paintings.
In most Chinese art the pines are usually combined with cranes. They stand for longevity.
The combination of pines and cranes is known as a wish for good health and long life.
