Meet the lotus stem straw cup: a handcrafted ceramic lotus blossom with a hollow green stem that works as a built-in straw. You fill the petals with tea. You sip through the stem. It is a small ritual that slows you down on purpose.
At shaolinstore, we bring Chan (Zen) culture into daily life through mindful objects and Spiritual Jewelry. This cup holds about 135 ml (4.6 fl oz), so it is a tasting cup, not a mug. Small on purpose, and made to be savored.
How the Lotus Stem Sipping Channel Works
The stem is not just for looks. It is a hollow channel that rises from the base of the blossom and curves up to a green mouthpiece. Liquid travels from the center of the flower, through the stem, and into your mouth.
Here is how to use it:
- Fill the blossom with your drink, leaving a little space below the rim.
- Rest the cup on a steady surface, or hold it with one hand.
- Bring the green tip to your lips and sip slowly.
- Pause between sips and enjoy the quiet.
Gulping does not work well here. Slow sips do. That is the whole idea.
Best Drinks for a 4.6 oz Sipping Cup
Small cups reward drinks you want to taste, not rush. Good choices include:
- Green, white, or oolong tea for clean, gentle flavor
- Herbal infusions such as jasmine or chrysanthemum
- Warm water with a slice of lemon for a simple morning ritual
We suggest warm, not boiling drinks. Hand-applied enamel and gold lines are happiest with gentle heat.
From Bitong Cup to Art Cup: The Story Behind the Design
This shape is much older than it looks. In China’s Three Kingdoms era (220 to 280 CE), the official Zheng Que is said to have pierced a lotus leaf and drunk wine through its hollow stem. People called it the bitong cup, or “green tube” cup. The Tang dynasty collection Youyang Zazu, compiled by Duan Chengshi, records the custom.
The bent stem looked like a trunk, so it also became known as the elephant trunk cup. Later potters turned the idea into porcelain, and museums now hold examples. The Henan Museum, in the same province as the Shaolin Temple, holds a Qing dynasty famille rose lotus suction cup.
Our cup carries that idea forward: a ceramic blossom, a ceramic stem, and a drinking ritual more than 1,700 years old.
Cha chan yi wei: tea and Chan share one taste.
Lotus Symbolism: Why a Pink Lotus
The lotus grows in muddy water, yet it opens clean. In Buddhism, that makes it a symbol of purity, awakening, and rising above hardship. It is also one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols (Ashtamangala).
The pink lotus holds a special place. Many Buddhist sources call it the supreme lotus, linked with the Buddha himself.
The Shaolin Temple, founded in 495 CE on Mount Song, is known as a home of Chan Buddhism, where meditation and tea belong together. This cup puts that symbol in your hands: a pink lotus you can hold, fill, and drink from.
Handcrafted Enamel-Color Craftsmanship
Each cup is fully handcrafted with enamel-color decoration. A soft pink glaze pools across the petals. Fine gold lines trace every petal edge and the layered leaves at the center of the bloom.
Because every piece is shaped and decorated by hand, small differences are normal: a deeper blush here, a slightly different gold line there. Think of it as a signature, not a flaw.
One honest note: hand-applied decoration deserves gentle care. Please read the care section below before daily use.
Key Features
- Hollow lotus stem that works as a built-in sipping channel
- Lotus blossom shape with layered petals and a softly scalloped rim
- Soft pink glaze with gold detailing
- Fully handcrafted, with enamel-color decoration
- 4.6 fl oz (135 ml) tea tasting capacity
- Functional ceramic art: sip from it, or display it as a collectible
Specifications
| Material | Ceramic |
|---|---|
| Craftsmanship | Fully handcrafted with enamel-color decoration |
| Finish | Soft pink glaze with gold detailing |
| Design | Lotus blossom cup with hollow lotus stem sipping channel |
| Capacity | Approx. 4.6 fl oz / 135 ml |
| Size | Approx. 5.1 x 3.5 x 2.0 in (130 x 90 x 50 mm) |
| Package size | Approx. 6.7 x 4.3 x 4.3 in (170 x 110 x 110 mm) |
| Style | Functional ceramic art, decorative collectible |
Care and Cleaning the Hollow Stem
A narrow channel needs a little attention. Here is a simple routine:
- Rinse the cup with warm water right after use.
- Wash by hand with mild soap.
- Run a thin, soft straw brush through the stem.
- Rinse well, then stand the cup stem down on a clean cloth to dry fully.
Dry the channel completely before you put the cup away. Trapped moisture is what causes odors.
Microwave, Dishwasher, and Hot Liquids
Here is our plain advice:
- Microwave: please avoid it. Gold detailing on ceramics is generally not recommended for microwave use.
- Dishwasher: hand washing is the gentlest choice for hand-applied decoration.
- Hot drinks: choose warm, not boiling.
Planning to drink from it every day? Message us before you order. We are happy to share the latest material information.
Display and Styling Ideas
The cup earns its place even when you are not sipping. Try one of these looks:
- Natural: a wooden tray with lotus seed pods and river stones
- Calm: beside a brass incense holder and dried grasses on linen
- Temple mood: on dark slate next to wooden prayer beads
- Daily practice: next to your mala or wrist beads from our Spiritual Jewelry collection
The beads, incense, stones, and seed pods in our photos are styling props and are not included.
A Gift with Meaning
Not sure what to give someone who has everything? Give them a reason to slow down.
- Tea lovers who enjoy a proper tasting ritual
- Meditation and Zen enthusiasts building a quiet corner at home
- Ceramic collectors who like handmade pieces with a story
It suits birthdays, housewarmings, and thank you gifts. The pink lotus carries a kind message: may you stay clear and calm.
What’s in the Box
You receive one handcrafted lotus stem straw cup, packed in protective packaging of about 6.7 x 4.3 x 4.3 in (170 x 110 x 110 mm).
Lotus Stem Straw Cup FAQ
How do you drink from a lotus stem straw cup?
Fill the blossom with a warm drink, then sip gently through the green tip of the hollow stem. Liquid flows from the center of the flower through the stem channel. Slow sips work best.
How much does it hold, and how big is it?
It holds about 135 ml (4.6 fl oz), a tea tasting size. The cup measures about 5.1 x 3.5 x 2.0 in (130 x 90 x 50 mm).
How do I clean the hollow stem?
Rinse after use, wash by hand with mild soap, and run a thin, soft straw brush through the stem. Rinse well and let it dry stem down on a clean cloth.
Is it microwave or dishwasher safe?
We recommend avoiding the microwave because of the gold detailing, and washing by hand to protect the hand applied decoration.
Is the glaze food safe and lead free?
This is handcrafted art ceramic with hand applied enamel and gold decoration. If you plan to drink from it often, message us before you order and we will share the latest material information.
Can I use it for hot tea?
Choose warm, not boiling, drinks. Gentle heat is kinder to enamel and gold detailing.
What does the pink lotus symbolize, and what is a bitong cup?
In Buddhism the lotus stands for purity and awakening, and the pink lotus is often called the supreme lotus. A bitong cup is a historic Chinese lotus leaf drinking cup with a hollow stem used as a straw. It is also called an elephant trunk cup.
Is it a good gift?
Yes. It suits tea lovers, meditation practitioners, and ceramic collectors, and it works for birthdays, housewarmings, and thank you gifts.
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