The Story of Sishi Tea Ceremony (四识茶道)

A Taoist Tea Tradition, Preserved for Over a Century

Sishi Tea Ceremony is a living tea tradition preserved in Xi’an’s Xincheng District. Its roots are deeply influenced by Taoist philosophy—especially the idea of cherishing life, nurturing health, and finding joy through simplicity.

More than a way of drinking tea, Sishi is a way of cultivating calm, returning to nature, and letting go of ego and worldly pressure.

Centuries ago, Ma Yu—one of the “Seven Masters of Quanzhen Taoism”—wrote in his poem “Tea”:

A cup of tea, and another—
do not offer it to those driven by fame and profit.

Tea of non-striving, tea of nature—
Heaven gifts peace to the Taoist heart.
In wakefulness, one’s practice deepens.

This expresses a Taoist view that tea is not simply a drink, but a mirror of one’s inner state.
It belongs to those who seek stillness rather than status.

Today, Sishi Tea Ceremony has been passed down in an orderly lineage for four generations, carrying a history of more than 100 years.

The Fifth-Generation Inheritor: Wang Yantong (汪彦彤)

A Lifelong Dedication to Tea, Culture, and Craft

Wang Yantong began studying Sishi Tea Ceremony in 2009 under Master Sun Shanyin. Through years of training, she explored how Chinese traditional wisdom—especially the Yin–Yang and Five Elements theory—connects with the nature of tea.

By 2013, she was able to perform the ceremony independently, demonstrating it in tea gatherings and exhibitions. Since 2016, she has continued her practice through deeper research, teaching, and cultural promotion.

Professional Qualifications

  • National Senior Tea Evaluator (China National Certification) — awarded in September 2017

  • National Level-2 Tea Art Technician — awarded in November 2018
    (both certified by the Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

Teaching, Cultural Events & Public Programs

Across the years, Wang Yantong has actively contributed to public education and cultural exchange through lectures, performances, and competitions, including:

  • Teaching tea culture at institutions and schools

  • Invited performances at major Shaanxi tea expos

  • Organizing two consecutive years (2017–2018) of the National Wuyi Rock Tea Competition – Xi’an Division, and receiving a recognition certificate for outstanding tea tasting and evaluation

  • Designing and presenting large-scale cultural tea gatherings showcasing the relationship between tea artistry and Five Elements philosophy

  • Since 2020, continuing advanced studies through mentorship and visits to respected tea masters

  • In 2022, invited to present Song Dynasty “Whisked Tea” (点茶) and its cultural background

Tea as Cultural Heritage—Not Just a Drink

As the fifth-generation inheritor, Wang Yantong is also actively involved in non-profit cultural heritage programs supported by public institutions. Her mission is to help more people understand:

  • Tea is not only for thirst—it can also support well-being and mindfulness

  • Different types of tea have distinct characteristics and energy

  • Quality tea can be evaluated through sensory appreciation and technique

  • Tea culture includes etiquette and human connection—how tea brings people closer with grace and respect

  • True tea practice can help quiet the mind and restore balance

What Makes Sishi Tea Ceremony Unique

A Full Journey of Tea Appreciation

Sishi Tea Ceremony offers more than brewing methods. It includes:

  • A unique evaluation approach guided by Yin–Yang & Five Elements

  • Artistic ceremony movements and refined tea performance

  • Sensory appreciation of the tea environment—space, silence, aroma, and mood

  • A complete experience where the outer form and inner spirit are perfectly aligned

Core Philosophy: “Follow Nature. Return to Simplicity.”

At the heart of Sishi is one Taoist principle:

Dao follows Nature (道法自然).

This means living in harmony with the way things naturally are—without forcing, without excess. It is a quiet alignment between the self and the world, where tea becomes a bridge between nature and the human heart.

Sishi Tea Ceremony values:

  • Minimalism and purity

  • Simplicity over decoration

  • Stillness over display

  • Equality, inclusiveness, and gentle discipline

It is a practice where beauty is not created through more—but revealed through less.