Culture Insider: How to raise your own tea pets

A woman holds a tea pet sculptured into two pigs. [Photo/VCG]

Pig

In traditional Chinese culture, pigs are a symbol of riches. Many Chinese women want to have a baby born in the Year of the Pig to give the child a blessing of a fortunate future. Tea pets in the form of pigs are also cute and loveable.

Buddha

Tea pets in forms of Maitreya Buddha are the most common ones. The Buddha always smiles and in many Buddhist texts, he stands for happiness and can also bless people. Other animal figures, such as lions and rhinos, are also popular tea pets.