A Purple Clay Teapot is an essential utensil for tea drinking. It's hard but brittle, and it's easy to accidentally drop the lid while using or handling the teapot. The consequences are naturally unsatisfactory; either the edge will be chipped, there will be cracks, or it may even shatter into several pieces. While the former, though affecting the aesthetics, can still be used with some effort, the latter can only be swept into the trash, causing much displeasure.
In the purple clay industry, there's a saying: “It's easier to make three Teapots than to match one lid.” From this, you can understand how complicated it is to match a lid. So someone came up with a solution: tie a string on the teapot so that the lid doesn't detach from the body and get damaged. So, should a teapot have a string attached?
Some say that tying a string shows lack of expertise.
This statement might seem rather blunt, making people feel it's not very understanding, causing a slight discomfort. But some do say this and present strong evidence: in the famous hometown of purple clay teapots, no one ties a string on their teapot when brewing tea. They focus on the way they hold the teapot! In the minds of these tea enthusiasts, the only thing that cultivates the mind and spirit is using a good teapot to enjoy tea. Therefore, developing a proper way of holding the teapot, being calm and focused while using the teapot, eliminates the worry of the lid getting damaged. When one reaches a certain level of mastery, the teapot and heart are both at peace, revealing true character!
Others advise that tying a string is riskier.
The idea of tying a string comes from its practicality – attaching a string ensures the lid stays connected to the body and doesn't get damaged. However, some argue that having the lid and pot always connected increases the likelihood of accidents during Cleaning or when pouring tea, as the lid just dangles there. Additionally, over time, the string may loosen without notice, increasing the risk of damage to the teapot.
Some insist that strings enhance beauty and atmosphere.
Whether in a tea shop, a teapot store, or a private collection, there are always a few people who tie strings on their teapots. To them, the string is an emotional connection. The red string tied with the tea and the teapot represents Chinese traditional culture. The art of Chinese knotting is profound and extensive, and the traditional beauty it presents is no less than that of tea and teapots.
If something is meant to be, it will happen; if not, don't force it. Whether to tie a string on a teapot or not depends on your mood; the ambiance lies in the person using the string. After all, in life, why be confrontational about things that can be easily let go with a smile?