Legends of the Big Red Robe: Tea Wrapped in Myth

Big Red Robe is not just a tea, it is a legend wrapped in mystery and mysticism. Its history goes back centuries and still arouses lively interest among lovers of Chinese tea. 

The legend of the tea-picking monkeys

One of the most fascinating legends about Chinese tea tells of small but incredibly hardworking helpers – monkeys. According to this legend, it was they who picked the leaves for rare and precious teas, including the famous Big Red Robe.

How did it all begin?

In ancient times, when tea plantations were located in hard-to-reach mountain areas, people faced the problem of harvesting. Picking tea is painstaking work and requires special care. Delicate tea leaves are easily damaged, which can affect the quality of the finished drink. In addition, many tea bushes grew on steep slopes and cliffs that were extremely difficult for a person to reach.

Monkeys – the perfect pickers

It was then that people noticed the monkeys living in these mountains. These clever and agile animals moved easily through trees and rocks, gathering wild fruit. The locals decided to teach the monkeys to pick tea leaves as well.

The monkeys were dressed in red robes to protect them from sharp branches and thorns. Then they were taught to find the youngest and juiciest tea buds. The monkeys quickly mastered the work and became indispensable helpers to the tea masters.

Why monkeys?

• Agility: Monkeys have incredible agility and flexibility, which allowed them to pick tea leaves even in the most hard-to-reach places.
• Size: The small size of the monkeys allowed them to pick the tea leaves carefully without damaging them.
• Intelligence: Monkeys are very intelligent animals. They learn quickly and can carry out complex tasks.

Legend and reality

Of course, this legend is more of a fairy tale than a historical fact. Still, there is a grain of truth in it. Some historical sources mention that animals were indeed used to pick tea in ancient China. 

Although today tea is picked mostly by hand, the legend of the tea-picking monkeys lives on. It reminds us of the close bond between people and nature, and that even the most unusual ideas can find a use.

The legend of the poor student

There is a second legend about the origin of Da Hong Pao tea. They say that in ancient times a poor student set off for the capital to take the exams. Passing the Wuyi mountains, he fell ill and collapsed on the road. He was noticed by an old monk from the Tianxin temple (Tianxin Yongle Chan Si (Chinese: 天心永乐禅寺, pinyin Tiānxīn yǒnglè chán sì) – the Zen Temple of Eternal Joy), who gave him tea to drink. The student recovered and later passed the exams brilliantly, becoming the most outstanding student and marrying a princess.

One spring the student returned to the Wuyi mountains to express his gratitude to the old monk. Accompanied by a retinue, they came to the Nine Dragons Gorge (Chinese: 九龙窠, pinyin Jiǔlóng kē). There, on a sheer cliff, they saw three tall tea bushes, thickly covered with branches and young shoots that sparkled in the sun with a purplish-red light. The old monk said that last year, when the student was ill, it was this very tea that had helped him get back on his feet. 

In the past, every spring when young shoots appeared on the tea bushes, a gong was struck to summon the monkeys. The monkeys, dressed in red robes, climbed the cliff and picked the tea leaves, which were then roasted and stored. This tea was greatly treasured. The student asked for some of this tea to be gathered and taken to the emperor.

The next day incense was lit in the temple, a gong was struck and all the monks were called to go to the Nine Dragons Gorge. Coming to the tea bushes, they offered prayers and shouted: “Tea leaves, wake up!” Then they picked the young shoots and processed them carefully. The student took the tea to the capital and presented it to the empress, who was feeling unwell. After drinking the tea, the empress felt better at once. The emperor was very pleased and gave the student a big red robe to take to the Wuyi mountains and place on the tea bushes. 

The student returned to the Wuyi mountains with great pomp. He ordered the imperial robe to be draped over the tea bushes. Strangely, when the robe was taken off, the young shoots of the three tea bushes glowed red in the sun. People said they had been dyed by the fabric of the robe. From then on, these three tea bushes were called “Big Red Robe”. Three large characters “Big Red Robe” were carved on the cliff. From then on, this tea was offered every year as tribute to the emperor.

The legends of Big Red Robe are not just a beautiful story. They reflect the deep connection of the Chinese with nature and tea. In Chinese culture tea has always been not just a drink but a symbol of wisdom, longevity and harmony. The legend of Big Red Robe underlines these values and makes this tea even more appealing to lovers of Chinese tea culture. 

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