As a Chinese term, "cup holder" (or "cup stand") refers to a physical object with specific applications across various historical periods and social contexts. Its core functions include supporting the cup, protecting hands from heat, and ensuring stability.

In traditional tea sets, the cup holder serves as a base for tea bowls or cups; its primary functions are to prevent scalding, stabilize the cup, catch spills, and enhance the ritualistic nature of tea drinking. Common forms include dish-like, bowl-like, pedestal, and compound styles. The "one cup, one holder" configuration emerged during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Records in the Tang Dynasty text *Zixia Ji* (Collection on Clarifying Leisure) indicate that the device was invented during the reign of Emperor Dezong to address issues regarding hot cups and tipping; as tea drinking gained popularity in the Tang Dynasty, these holders began to be crafted from materials such as gold and silver.

In modern automobiles, cup holders are standard storage features designed to securely hold water cups and beverage bottles. Their designs have continuously evolved; some high-end models feature heating and cooling capabilities, adjustable grips, non-slip surfaces, and drainage outlets. In the packaging of takeaway beverages, common paper cup holders serve to secure the cup and prevent spills, typically utilizing biodegradable pulp materials.

Cup holders have also become a medium for creative cultural products. Examples include the "Na Fu" (Welcoming Good Fortune) cup holder from the Fujian Museum, which integrates traditional cultural elements, or holders that-through hand-painting or brand collaborations-serve as "emotional vessels" for expressing personality, feelings, and social identity. Discarded paper cup holders can be repurposed into DIY items such as bookshelves, phone stands, or desktop organizers, embodying eco-friendly principles.

Furthermore, there are patented cup holder designs optimized for specific functions like heat dissipation and water collection-such as the "paper cup holder designed for easy heat dissipation."