Similar to Yixing teapots made from the same clay, tea pets are unglazed, and are mostly monochromatic with a rough surface.

[3] Tea pets are also molded into zodiac animals or Chinese mythical creatures such as dragons, pixiu and qilin to symbolize good luck, fortune and happiness, as well as historical or mythical characters such as Guanyin, Maitreya and Zhuge Liang.

Teapot artisans then began molding Yixing clay into various mythical creatures or animals as mascots for tea enthusiasts, with production still concentrated in Yixing region in the modern day.

Each tea pet often represents specific symbols or virtues, with designs ranging from animals to mythical creatures.

For instance, a frog or toad is commonly associated with wealth and prosperity, while a dragon symbolizes power and strength.