Arborvitae Hair Comb — He Xiang Tang Cloud-Pattern Scalp Comb with Lotus Carving

Carved from arborvitae wood, a tree TCM has called "the tree of life" for over 2,000 years, paired with a hand-engraved lotus and cloud motif from He Xiang Tang. Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis), known in Chinese as cè bǎi, has a long history in Chinese hair care tradition, used for generations as part of scalp massage rituals. This comb brings that history into a daily five-minute habit: smooth, rounded teeth designed to glide through hair and stimulate the scalp without pulling or snagging.

The carved cloud-and-lotus pattern along the spine is more than decoration. In Chinese symbolism, clouds represent transcendence and lotus represents purity rising above the ordinary, two ideas paired deliberately on a tool meant for a quiet daily ritual. Each comb is hand-finished, so the depth and placement of the engraving varies slightly piece to piece.

There's a well-known story in Chinese wellness circles about Empress Dowager Cixi, who reportedly began every day before dawn with the same three rituals: washing her face, applying makeup, and combing her hair, a habit she kept for decades. Whether legend or fact, it reflects what TCM has long held: combing was never just about grooming.

• Material: Genuine arborvitae wood
• Design: Hand-carved cloud and lotus motif, He Xiang Tang craftsmanship
• Teeth: Wide-set, rounded for scalp comfort
• Use: Daily scalp massage ritual
• Care: Dry cloth only; store away from sunlight and moisture