Discuss the development of Chinese tea art from the Tang dynasty until Essay

Discuss the development of Chinese tea art from the Tang dynasty until recent times in China or overseas - Essay Example Despite the increasing market share of modern drinks such as soft drinks and alcohol drinks, tea has never lost its popularity, especially in recent years, when people are increasingly aware of the importance of organic foods and drinks, tea is being considered one of the most natural and healthy drinks which is promoted by more and more people around the world† (Wang 2011, p. 13). At the beginning tea was used for phytotherapy and mainly on the territory of churches. Monks started drinking tea because they liked its sedative effect and also to demonstrate the respect for nature. Chinese tea ceremony was also born as a result of respect for nature and the necessity of peace and was held as a part of religious ceremonies. The interesting fact is that for many centuries the philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism were mixed in the magic Chinese tea ceremony. Later Chinese people learned to value the pleasure they received from tea-drinking and its social meaning. Tea ce remony has turned from a religious ritual into the important part of social, cultural and traditional events (Baldwin et al, 2006). Chinese people has enjoyed tea-drinking for more than 4000 years. According to the legend, Yan Di, one of the three ancient rulers, tasted all the kinds of herbage to find methods of treatment. Once, when he was poisoned by some kind of herbage, the drop of water from manuka appeared in his mouth and saved him. Tea was applied as a medicine for long. During the rule of Chow dynasty it had religious status. In spring and in autumn people ate the leaves of manuka instead of vegetables (Wang, 2000). With the popularization of Buddhism in Northern and Southern dynasty, its dewy effect was used by monks for meditation. Tea as a drink was thriving during the rule of Tang dynasty and became a popular product in shops. The appearance of a book about tea became one of the most important events of this