Abstract

 Nowadays, tea culture has achieved magnificent reputation around the world. Tea is rooted in China with a long history. During the process of the development, it is combined with Chinese traditional culture, social conventions and lifestyles, carrying more meanings. In Britain, people also have become more and more accustomed to enjoying a cup of tea everyday. They make tea activities dainty and gentle in their unique way to meet their values. So based on the background, the thesis makes a comparative study on tea culture of China and British. According to the “onion theory”, after giving a literature review and introducing the formation of Chinese tea culture and British tea culture, the thesis makes a comparison of Chinese tea culture and British tea culture in terms of symbols, rituals and values. Generally, the thesis will not only deepen the tea culture of China and British in an all-round way, but also analyze and conclude the similarities and differences of them profoundly and comprehensively.

Keywords: tea culture; comparative study; similarities; differences

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction -1

2. Literature Review-2

3. The Formation of Tea Culture-3

3.1 The formation of Chinese tea culture-3

3.2. The formation of British tea culture-4

4. The Symbols of Tea Culture in China and Britain   -5

4.1. Similarities-5

4.2. Differences-6

5. The Rituals of Tea Culture in China and Britain-7

5.1. Similarities-7

5.2. Differences-8

6. Values of Tea Culture Reflected in China and Britain-8

6.1. Similarities-9

6.2. Differences-9

7. Conclusion-11

Works Cited-13