The traditional Chinese tea making techniques and related customs were included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022, once again showcasing the unique value of "Chinese tea" to the world. Tea is not only a beloved beverage of the Chinese people, but also a cultural symbol deeply imprinted in the genes of Chinese civilization - from ancient legends to everyday fireworks, from literati elegance to folk etiquette, tea has long been integrated into Chinese culture and daily life, carrying the spiritual pursuit of the Chinese people, reflecting their philosophy of life, and having an important impact on the world. The continuity of a thousand years of tea is a vivid example of the uninterrupted continuity of Chinese civilization, which is one of the core characteristics of Chinese civilization, and the history of tea is a vivid example of this continuity. Since its inception, tea has become the "nectar and nectar" that nourishes Chinese civilization. From medicinal use, consumption to drinking, from craftsmanship to customs, tea has been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years and continues to thrive. The widely circulated saying about the origin of Chinese tea is that 'Shen Nong tasted a hundred herbs and encountered seventy-two poisons every day, and obtained tea to dissolve them'. Although this is not a historical record, it is deeply rooted in the collective memory of the Chinese people. It not only vividly interprets the original purpose of tea - medicinal use, but also metaphorically represents the spiritual character of the Chinese ancestors who explored the Tao with their own lives and persevered in seeking knowledge. This spirit is the foundation of the continuous development of Chinese civilization. In recent years, tea remains have been found in the ancient city of Zhuguo in Zoucheng, Shandong Province, the Yangling Mausoleum of Han Jing Emperor in Shaanxi Province, the Gurujiamu Cemetery in Ali, Xizang, and other sites, dating back about 2400, 2100, and 1800 years respectively. The archaeological achievements spanning the eastern, western, and even plateau borders of China demonstrate that tea, with its unique value, has already broken through regional barriers and integrated into the early development of Chinese civilization. It is a cultural bond that connects different regions and ethnic groups in China and has become a symbol of Chinese civilization. Du Yu's "Laofu" of the Western Jin Dynasty elevated tea to the level of aesthetic observation, proposing the concept of "regulating the mind and the inner world, relieving fatigue and eliminating laziness", and clarifying the dual value of tea for health and heart nourishment. During the Tang Dynasty, Lu Yu wrote the "Classic of Tea", which systematically summarized and standardized the method of brewing tea, elevating daily drinking behavior to a personal cultivation of "practicing frugality and virtue". Emperor Huizong of Song and Zhao Ji wrote the "Grand View Tea Theory", advocating for a tea drinking environment that is "clear and harmonious" and "elegant and tranquil", further elevating the spiritual connotation of tea. During the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict stating that "the production of dragon groups should be abolished, and only bud tea should be harvested for advancement", and tea production returned to simplicity. In contemporary times, new Chinese tea drinks have emerged as a rising force, with diverse tea cultures competing on the same stage and vying for excellence. For thousands of years, tea has evolved in form, production techniques, and drinking methods, whether classical, romantic, or natural. However, its cultural background remains consistent, and this continuous inheritance has made tea a "green fossil" that witnesses the continuity of Chinese civilization. What's even more rare is that the inheritance of tea has never been limited to temples and literati, but has spread to the streets, alleys, and fields. From the Tieguanyin Tea Garden in Anxi, Fujian Province, to the thousand year old tea trees in the ancient tea forest in Jingmai Mountain, Yunnan Province, to the Yigong Tea Farm in Linzhi, Xizang, the tea making skills are taught orally and the tea drinking habits are passed on from generation to generation, shared by all ethnic groups in China. From the "Guan Gong's City Tour" and "Han Xin's Trooping" of Chaoshan Gongfu tea, to the daily drinking of Jiangnan residents, and to the jasmine fragrance of Beijing people, tea drinking customs have been integrated into the lives of different regions. This cultural consensus and identity inheritance regardless of class and region makes tea one of the most universal cultural symbols in China and deeply rooted in the soil of Chinese civilization. Fireworks and Spirit Tea showcases the elegance and character of Chinese culture. Tea holds an important position in Chinese culture, not only because of its millennium long inheritance, but also because it carries the core spirit of Chinese culture, embodying the wisdom of Chinese life, philosophy of life, values, and pursuit of human dignity. It is a key to interpreting Chinese civilization. Writer Lin Yutang once said, "As long as there is a teapot, Chinese people are happy wherever they go." The charm of tea lies not only in its taste, but also in the attitude and philosophy of life it represents. The popular brewing method since the Ming Dynasty has abandoned tedious rituals and returned to the essence of tea, making drinking tea a simple and pure daily routine, demonstrating the Chinese people's pursuit of "returning to simplicity and authenticity" in life. Wen Zhengming's "Huishan Tea Party Picture" and "Tea Boiling Picture" are all reflections of this attitude towards life, with clear pine and rocks, friends gathering around the stove, holding fans to wait for soup, or displaying scrolls to wait quietly, without formalities, but with genuine fun. In today's busy and fast-paced society, people consider boiling tea around the stove, exploring tea mountains, and learning tea art as important ways to relax and soothe their emotions. The Chinese attitude and philosophy towards life are not only reflected in tea drinking activities, but also in tea making techniques. Chinese tea making techniques are complex and diverse, with six major types of tea and thousands of tea products. Each type of tea has its own way of making, but always follows the natural principles of Taoism - without deliberate carving, conforming to the nature of tea leaves, and preserving their most authentic aroma and taste. Through thousands of years of practice in cultivating, picking, and making tea, Chinese tea people have summarized agricultural wisdom that conforms to nature and respects laws. This wisdom is a vivid embodiment of the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in Chinese culture. Harmony is one of the important values of Chinese culture, and tea is a vivid carrier of these values. Tea making emphasizes "timing, appropriateness, rules, and harmony", following the laws of nature and pursuing the unity of man and nature, which is the harmony between humans and nature. Tea drinking emphasizes the importance of "respecting guests with tea, comforting relatives with tea, and promoting good neighborliness with tea". When guests visit, offering a cup of hot tea is polite and warm, which is the harmony between people. The various details and basic etiquette in daily drinking demonstrate the sincerity and humility of Chinese people in dealing with others. The verse of Zen Master Zhaozhou's "Go for Tea" tells people that Buddhism is not in the realm of mystical principles, but in the daily practice of drinking tea and in the current state of peace. This concept of 'ordinary mind is the way' is similar to the Chinese philosophy of 'moderation and peace' in life. Tea also carries the personality pursuit of "refinement, frugality, and virtue", and is a companion for literati and scholars to cultivate themselves. During the Tang Dynasty, Lu Yu lost his parents at a young age and was placed in a temple to study art and culture. Later, he left the temple and devoted himself to tea, using tea as his foundation and speech. In his "Tea Classic," he not only detailed the methods of tea picking, brewing, and drinking, but also regarded "practicing frugality and virtue" as the soul of tea. The so-called 'refined behavior' refers to rigorous self-discipline and upright conduct; The so-called 'frugality virtue' refers to being frugal, introverted, and not ostentatious. This spirit is precisely the character pursued by Chinese culture. The Tang Dynasty poet Lu Tong wrote in his poem "Seven Bowls of Tea": "One bowl moistens the throat, and two bowls break through the loneliness... Seven bowls cannot be eaten, only feeling the gentle breeze in both armpits." He pushed the experience of drinking tea layer by layer, and finally entered the realm of forgetting both the object and the self in the fragrance of tea, reflecting the spiritual pursuit of literati and scholars beyond the material. The literati of the Song Dynasty, such as Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, and Lu You, were all masters of tea tasting and singing. Whether they were proud or frustrated, they sipped bitterness and returned sweetness in the fragrance of tea, sticking to their true heart and nature. In short, tea, as a carrier for literati and scholars to relieve their worries and express their emotions, has allowed the concept of "practicing frugality and virtue" to continue to be passed down. The world value and contemporary inheritance of tea culture spread through the fragrance of tea. Tea is not only a spiritual sustenance for the Chinese people, but also a link for the exchange and mutual learning between Chinese civilization and world civilization. From the Ancient Tea Horse Road to the current "the Belt and Road" initiative, the tea in the pot is overflowing, and the tea leaves cross the mountains and the sea, transmitting the temperature of Chinese culture to all parts of the world, becoming an important window for the world to understand Chinese civilization. As early as the Sui and Tang dynasties, the custom of drinking tea was introduced to the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese archipelago by envoys, literati, and monks. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, tea spread to Europe through the Maritime Silk Road, including the Netherlands and England. Later, the British developed the custom of drinking afternoon tea; It was also transmitted to Russia through the thousands of miles of tea ceremony trade on the Eurasian continent, and tea cookers and hot tea became the best choices for local people to resist the severe cold. Through long-term integration and mutual learning, tea has become a universal language that transcends national borders. In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly designated May 21st as International Tea Day, highlighting the important contribution of Chinese tea culture to the diversity of world civilizations and the embodiment of tea as a symbol of the world value of Chinese civilization. Nowadays, the diplomatic "tea gathering" is composing a good story of reciprocity between heads of state, and the new Chinese style tea drinks are going global, with the theme of "Tea and the World" being launched globally. In short, 'the way of tea reflects the way China interacts with the world.' Through a green leaf, more and more foreigners are learning about the inclusiveness and richness of Chinese culture, as well as the way Chinese people live and interact with the world. Chinese civilization not only has a magnificent history, but also has warm and delicate fireworks and deep affection. Each and every one of us, in the process of tasting, appreciating, and making tea, is the inheritor and guardian of Chinese culture, a witness and disseminator of the symbol of Chinese civilization. Entering the office in the morning, brewing a cup of hot tea to start a busy day; Boil tea and sit down after meals to soothe the body and mind; On a cold winter day, a small red clay stove is used to cook tea around the stove; In the scorching summer, cold soaking green tea can cool down and quench thirst; During holidays, friends and family gather together, hold a cup of favorite milk tea, and chat about friendship... As a cultural connection, tea is not only hidden in the hearts of Chinese people, but also between our lips and throats. (New Society)