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 The modern character cha (above) consists of ten strokes divided into three parts. The top four strokes -forming two crosses- represent leaves, while the lower two forms -the peaked roof shape and elongated cross- signify branches and a trunk. 
Tea Tree Plucking, Yunnan Province (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE.) The "tea" character itself reminds us that tea began as a medicinal beverage made from the leaves of wild tea trees (above) long before it was cultivated as a shrub in the manicured tea gardens we know today (below). (PREVIOUS) - (NEXT) 
Tea Garden, Fujian Province |
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