In Vietnamese culture, the altar is not just a place to worship ancestors but also the “heart” of the home – a space that connects the living and the dead, the present and the past. A properly set-up altar with the right rituals not only shows respect but also brings peace and prosperity to the family. However, according to feng shui experts and folk beliefs, if an altar lacks the following three important items, the family may encounter obstacles and descendants may struggle to thrive.
1. The altar must have a clean incense burner with intact joss sticks
The incense burner is the most sacred object on the altar, symbolizing the seat of ancestors and deities. However, many people neglect its maintenance, leaving it dusty, tilted, or even missing joss sticks or ash.
Why is the incense burner so important? A dirty incense burner obstructs the flow of positive energy, disrupting the balance of yin and yang energies.
An empty or moldy incense burner depletes “spiritual energy,” leading to disharmony and conflict within the family.
Failing to have intact joss sticks (3, 5, or 7, reassembled after each use) creates a sense of “emptiness” and disconnects the spiritual link.
Notes on cleaning the incense burner:
- Clean it periodically on the 14th day of the lunar month or the 23rd of the Chạp month.
- Use a clean cloth and either five-spice water or ginger wine for cleaning.
- Do not rearrange the incense burner without consulting a feng shui master or an experienced person.
2. The altar should have a lamp or candle – a symbol of light and wisdom
In Eastern culture, light on the altar represents wisdom and the guidance of ancestors and deities. Many modern families, however, neglect this aspect, opting for cold LED lights or even no light at all.
Benefits of using a lamp or candle:
- It creates a warm and sacred atmosphere for the altar.
- It attracts positive energy while repelling negative energy, especially at night.
- The light represents transparency and enlightenment, crucial for the education and careers of descendants.
What type of lamp or candle should be used?
Traditional oil lamps or red candles are the best choices.
If using electric lamps, opt for warm white light instead of white or flashing lights.
Keep the lamp lit on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, as well as during festivals and holidays.
3. The altar should have a vase of fresh flowers – a symbol of life and wealth
Many families believe that offering flowers is only necessary during festivals or on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month. However, according to feng shui, fresh flowers serve as a connection between the mortal world and the spiritual realm, representing the most refined form of prayer.
What do fresh flowers symbolize? Flowers represent growth and prosperity, reflecting wishes for wealth and peace.
- They purify the air and generate positive yang energy.
- Offering fresh flowers demonstrates respect and devotion to ancestors.
What type of flowers should be chosen?
Opt for flowers with subtle colors and mild fragrances, such as chrysanthemums, lilies, alstroemerias, and Chinese hibiscus.
Avoid artificial flowers, wilted flowers, or strongly scented flowers like lilies, which can be misinterpreted in the context of worship.
Offer flowers with sincerity, not just as a formality.
4. The altar requires sincerity and reverence during worship
The most important aspect of worship is the sincerity of the homeowner. If the altar is well-appointed but lacks sincerity, and if incense is burned with a restless mind or disrespect, then even a lavish altar with expensive offerings will fail to attract wealth and good fortune.
Setting up an altar requires reverence and respect. Incense burning and prayers should be conducted with solemnity and focus. When standing before the altar, one should embody humility, a willingness to learn, and a sense of awe. Only then can the homeowner be truly virtuous, and only then will blessings follow.
Thus, what matters most at the altar is the homeowner’s sincerity and solemnity, creating a warm and inviting space. These qualities reflect the homeowner’s way of life, and it is this way of life that paves the path to richness and abundance.
- Position the altar in a peaceful, elevated space, avoiding direct alignment with the toilet or kitchen.
- Keep the altar tidy, refraining from placing personal items, money, or documents on it.
- Regularly clean the altar with a separate cloth and clean water, preventing dust and cobwebs.
- Burn an odd number of incense sticks (1, 3, or 5) to maintain a pleasant atmosphere without waste.
Information for reference and contemplation
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