About Me and Fairy Crane Tea
I am Dawn, a Texas girl who moved to China in 2022 to live her dream! I had no idea that I would not only live my dream but transform my life into its higher purpose. I have created Fairy Crane Tea to share my experiences while living in China and to create a bridge of understanding of Chinese people, their lives, and culture. I work as a university English teacher in Nanyang, Henan Province. I also became an apprentice to the top tea master in Henan Province. He gave me my Chinese name, 李笑樱( Li Xiaoying). Under his guidance I have learned much about traditional Chinese culture. I study tea ceremony (cha dao), incense ceremony (xiang dao), and traditional flower arranging (hua dao). I have had opportunities to perform various ceremonies for world leaders, visiting guests from other nations, government, and civic leaders as well as local communities. I have had opportunities to train with other respected masters in Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Shangqiu. I hope through my blog, vlog, and various video series you will see and feel why the Chinese culture is something we can all appreciate.
About Fairy Crane Tea:
This is a company built out of genuine love and respect of Chinese Traditional Culture. The name, logo, and artwork are all created from traditional Chinese elements and meanings that are rooted in ancient teachings, philosophy, and elements that are still practiced in today’s modern world and are a fundamental part of their culture. The early Taoist used tea to demonstrate their teachings. Tea ceremony connects the three domains: heaven, earth, and man. With the four pillars in tea ceremony of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. These concepts all helped in creating the name of my company.
Fairy- 仙女(xian nu) /Immortal-不朽(buxiu) but it is also 仙(xian). Early Taoists saw that drinking tea had health properties that added longevity to their lives. While practicing tea they sought quiet and gained wisdom. The local people referred to the Taoists as Immortals because they had extended lifespans. Taizhou or Mount Tiantai had some of the earliest tea growers and was formerly referred to as Danqiu. Danqiu was where immortals lived. Ancient literature refers to tea and the Immortals having wings. This falls in line with the belief of Taoists that tea gives wings to humans. If you enjoy Chinese novels or costume dramas, then Immortals are cultivators who have reached Immortality. Fairies are quite different from Western idea of fairies. Fairy is term often referred to a beautiful girl or woman in Chinese culture. They are often associated with nature or animals. They typically have shown great love, passion, or made a great sacrifice. My Master, 师父(Shifu) calls me his “Tea Fairy” because of my love of nature, animal, children and my passion for learning all things tea.
Crane-鹤(hè) Crane in Chinese is also a homophone for harmony 合(hé). Harmony is one of the 4 pillars of tea ceremony. Cranes represent longevity, immortality, wisdom. It is said that because cranes live long lives they are believed that Immortals fly on the back of the red-crowned crane from heaven to earth. The red-crowned crane also represents luck, prosperity, integrity, and nobility. Cranes are often portrayed in art, literature, and teaware and incense burners.
Tea-茶(cha) It is more than leaves brewed into a drink. It is a culture that is steeped in symbolism, history, and tradition. It promotes harmony and balance. It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, social interactions, as well as in spiritual practices like tea ceremony where experiencing mindfulness, peace and enlightenment are part of the ritual. Tea brings harmony between heaven, earth, and man. Heaven through its weather cycles and seasons helps to grow the tea leaves from the earth. Man will brew using the purest water, serve and drink the tea. If done with the right intentions, showing respect, keeping a tranquil mind, harmony will be achieved.
I hope that through the blog, vlog, video series, online classes, and store, you will gain an appreciation for traditional Chinese culture. I also hope you will feel a sense of happiness.
With Love,
Your Tea Fairy, Dawn
aka 李笑樱 (Li Xiaoying)
To contact, email at:
