Hand dyed Fengshui Ornament Bright Golden Chinese Lacquerware Hulu Natural Gourd Water Tea Container Classical Home Decor

This lovely gourd serves as both a water bottle and an aesthetic Fengshui home decoration.

In traditional Chinese culture, the gourd carries rich symbolism. Due to its homonym for "good fortune and prosperity"福禄  and its many seeds, it primarily symbolizes blessings, official rank, longevity, thriving offspring, and warding off evil while attracting wealth. Its round shape and sprawling vines make it a popular choice for feng shui ornaments and accessories, representing auspiciousness and good fortune.

Gourd making video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/JLFTxDgvLzA?si=_yMRx2WwBDMGnTCw

Inside and outside are hand-painted with at least 3 layers of natural lacquer. 

What is it, gourd 葫芦?

The gourd has been cultivated in China for over 7,000 years, and seeds have been found at Neolithic sites. According to the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, the gourd has diuretic and swelling-reducing effects, and is used to treat edema and jaundice. In folk tradition, it is considered an auspicious symbol; Dai Minority mythology believes that humans originated from the gourd, and there is a custom of cutting colorful gourds to ward off disasters during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Chinese Lacquerware:

Lacquer, also known as raw lacquer or Chinese lacquer, is a white resin that flows from the phloem of the lacquer tree when its bark is cut. Upon contact with air, it oxidizes and gradually hardens to form a lacquer film, making it a natural and environmentally friendly material. Li Shizhen's *Compendium of Materia Medica* (Wood Section, Lacquer entry) records, "Lacquer is pungent, warm, and non-toxic. Raw lacquer, when taken for a long time, makes one feel light and resistant to aging. Dried lacquer treats coughs..." Natural raw lacquer is not only non-toxic but also has medicinal uses.

As early as the Hemudu Culture period, more than 7,000 years ago, our ancestors were already using lacquer. Lacquer, an intangible cultural heritage, not only possesses extremely high artistic value but also contains rich cultural connotations. It embodies the unique aesthetic concepts, craftsmanship, and cultural traditions of the Chinese nation and is a symbol of our national spirit.

How do we prepare a gourd before its first use?

Step 1: Cleaning Before using a new gourd, thoroughly clean the inner liner with clean water (it's normal to find impurities during the cleaning process; just clean it thoroughly).

Step 2: If you intend to fill the gourd with tea or beverages, it is recommended to fill it with strong tea, leave the lid open, and let it sit for a day.

If you intend to fill the gourd with liquor, it is recommended to fill it with high-proof liquor, leave the lid open, and let it sit for half a day. (Discard the tea or liquor used for opening the gourd; it is not recommended to drink it.)

Step 3: After opening the gourd, rinse the inside with clean water, leave the lid open, and place it in a ventilated area to air dry. It is then ready for normal use. (You can also frequently open the stopper to allow the lacquer to oxidize slowly in contact with air; the lacquer smell will gradually dissipate over time.)

Precautions: This gourd can be filled with boiling water, but due to its internal structure, it is recommended to wait until the water cools to 50-60 degrees Celsius (122°F-140°F) before pouring it in. If you need to pour boiling water directly into the gourd (the gourd's walls are relatively thin, so please twist the stopper; inserting it straight in may cause it to crack), do not put the stopper on. Wait until you have cooled down before putting the stopper on. It is not recommended to leave the wine or tea in the gourd overnight.

The lid of a long-spouted gourd must be rotated before inserting or removing it to ensure a tight seal. It is therefore quite tight; Do not force it in or out, as this could easily cause the gourd to burst. Please understand that natural minor dark spots on the gourd skin is very normal. Please understand that natural lacquer has a special scent but it will fade away with time.

Volume: 500-700ml

The gourd comes with a cushion, funnel, and cotton basket(you can wear it very comfortably)

P.S Please provide your phone number when placing an order. This is very important when shipping the package. I appreciate any help you can provide.