At the best tea in China; Pu'erh tea lovers know that each Pu'erh tea cake weighs 357 grams. Many wonder why this specific weight was chosen. Knowing our Chinese friends, the number 357 obviously has a special meaning.
Historical and Symbolic Origins
The origin of this weight dates back to the history of Pu-erh tea, which took root over two thousand years ago and flourished during the Qing Dynasty. This choice is also explained by practical and symbolic considerations.
An explanation can be found in the Book of Changes.
The number 357 is a yang number (the yang numbers being 1, 3, 5, 7, 9). Yang represents the sun and fire. The sum of the yang numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) is 25, a number related to the law of the sun. At the same time, the yin numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) add up to 30, corresponding to the days of a lunar month. These numbers symbolize the celestial rhythm and the cycle of nature.
The number 357 is therefore considered a central and auspicious number, embodying harmony and balance between the celestial and terrestrial elements.
Other Cultural Interpretations
In China, the number 357 carries strong symbolic significance:
3 represents the three talents: heaven, earth, and humankind.
5 symbolizes the five elements: gold, water, wood, fire, and earth.
7 embodies Shaoyang and the dragon, a symbol of powerful and immutable energy.
These elements are found in the spirit of Pu'er tea, where the number 357 represents the harmony between heaven, earth, and humankind, rooted in Chinese culture and the tea ceremony.
The Symbolism of 15
Adding the digits of 357 (3 + 5 + 7) gives 15, a symbolic number linked to the full moon and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, this festival emphasizes fulfillment and family reunion. Mooncakes, eaten during this period, also symbolize this unity, reflected in the roundness of Pu'erh tea cakes. We call them Yue bing "月饼"; and our tea cakes, related to this number 15 of the waxing moon, are Cha Bing "茶饼".
Ancient Practices and Practical Reasons
Pu'er tea cakes are also called Qizi cakes. Under the Yellow Emperor, tea transactions took place at the borders. To avoid disputes over weight, the government imposed standardized measures. Each cake weighed 357 grams, and seven cakes constituted a barrel of tea weighing approximately 2.5 kg. These measures facilitated management, tax collection, and trade.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, this weight was standardized for Qizi cakes, as it allowed for round numbers for production and sales. For example, seven 357-gram cakes weighed 2.5 kg, and 12 tubes weighed approximately 30 kg, which facilitated inventory management.
Thus, the weight of 357 grams became a practical and symbolic standard for Pu'er tea cakes, combining cosmic harmony, Chinese tradition, and commercial efficiency.