Ancestral altar holds immense significance in a Vietnamese household. It is a place to honor and pay respect to deceased ancestors and deities, believed to be a gathering place for spiritual energy and a conduit for people’s wishes for a better life. Therefore, the placement of the altar requires careful consideration. There are a few taboos that one must avoid when deciding on the location of the ancestral altar.
Do Not Place the Altar in the Opposite Direction of the House
According to Vietnamese feng shui principles, placing the altar in the opposite direction of the house is considered a major taboo. This discordance can lead to disharmony and conflict among family members. Regardless of the size or layout of the house, the altar should never be positioned in a way that faces away from the main direction of the house.
When choosing the direction of the altar, it is customary to consider the owner’s life compass. For those with an East-Four-Symbol life compass, select one of the four directions: Khảm, Tốn, Chấn, or Ly. For those with a West-Four-Symbol life compass, the directions are Đoài, Càn, Cấn, and Khôn.
Avoid Direct Alignment with the Entrance
In feng shui, it is believed that placing the altar directly in line with the entrance will cause good fortune to escape. This can bring bad luck to the household. If the house is small and there are limited options for altar placement, consider using curtains, partitions, or screens to create a separate and private worship space, shielding the altar from direct view of the entrance.
Additionally, avoid placing the altar in high-traffic areas. The altar should be situated in a serene, clean, and quiet environment. A busy and noisy pathway can disrupt the tranquility required for worship and may result in the loss of good fortune and prosperity.
Additional Considerations
The ancestral altar is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the household. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a location with positive energy within the house. For narrow or tube houses, consider placing the altar on the highest floor to create a sense of spaciousness and avoid a cramped feeling.
The altar should not be positioned with its back to or directly facing a toilet or a cooking stove. As the altar requires a quiet environment, refrain from placing electronic devices such as televisions, stereos, or fish tanks below or beside it. These items create constant movement and disrupt the tranquility of the worship space.
It is also not advisable to place the altar in bedrooms, under staircases, or directly in front of a window, as these locations may disrupt the peaceful atmosphere. Additionally, avoid direct and strong lighting on the altar, whether from natural sunlight or bright lamps. Instead, opt for soft, warm lighting to create a gentle and reverent ambiance.
Only place items on the altar that are directly related to worship, such as incense burners, ancestral photos, prayer tablets, and fresh flowers or fruits. Do not place unrelated objects, especially sharp items like knives, on the altar. Artificial flowers or fruits are also not recommended.
This information is for reference only and is subject to individual interpretation.
It is important to regularly clean and maintain the ancestral altar. While daily cleaning may not be necessary, it is respectful to tidy the altar before burning incense on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, as well as during festivals, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Always remove wilted flowers and rotten fruits from the altar.
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