Should you place the fruit plate on the right or left side of the altar? Simple principle but few people know

When it comes to lighting incense, many people are still unsure whether to place the fruit plate on the left or right side of the altar.

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Should the fruit dish be placed on the right or left of the altar?

According to traditional folklore, the incense bowl is usually placed in the center of the altar, representing the center where energy accumulates and spiritual essence gathers. On both sides of the incense bowl, there are often oil lamps or candles. The fruit tray is usually arranged in front, while the incense bowl is placed behind, in the direction that the worshipers look towards.

In religious ceremonies, our ancestors applied the principle of “East serene, West fruitful” to decorate the fruit dish and flower vase on the altar. This principle is derived from the laws of nature, with the sun rising in the East and setting in the West, as well as plants flowering before bearing fruit. Therefore, in the ceremony, the flower vase is usually placed towards the East, while the fruit tray is towards the West.

The determination of directions on the altar is done as follows:

Looking out from inside the altar, which is on the left side of the ancestors (to the left), is considered the East side.

The opposite direction (to the right) will be the West side.

This way of thinking originates from traditional habits, when ancestral altars were usually placed in the middle of the house with the main direction being South. Therefore, the flower vase is often placed to the left of the altar (the East side), while the fruit dish will be placed to the right (the West side), providing convenience in arrangement.

Types of fruits commonly placed on the altar

On the altar, people often display 5 types of fruits, taken from the principle of the five elements (Kim – Moc – Thuy – Hoa – Tho) symbolizing the five basic elements of the universe according to ancient Eastern beliefs.

A fruit tray usually consists of 5 types of fruits with diverse colors, such as green bananas, yellow pomelos, white pears, orange oranges, red apples, representing 5 important wishes in daily life: Wealth – Elegance – Longevity – Health – Peace.

In Buddhism, the fruit tray symbolizes the “five good roots,” including Faith – Diligence – Mindfulness – Concentration – Wisdom. The fruits displayed on the fruit tray carry specific meanings:

Pomelo, watermelon: Round shape, fresh, symbolizing fullness and luck for the New Year.

Red fruits: Bright red color, symbolizing success and good luck.

Pear: Sweet, symbolizing convenience and smoothness.

Pomegranate: Many seeds, desiring many offspring, spreading joy in the family.

Peach: Represents progress and prosperity.

Apricot blossom: Represents the wish for daughters’ happiness and happy families.

Apple (red apple): Symbol of wealth.

Dragon fruit: Desires the meeting of dragon and cloud.

Quail eggs in peach-shaped trays: Represents the descent of heavenly luck.

Coconut: Embraces the meaning of “abundance” in the Southern dialect, symbolizing fullness.

Lychee: Sounds similar to “xài” (spending) in the Western pronunciation, wishing for a year of abundance and no shortage.

These fruits not only represent the wishes of the host but also contribute to the decoration of the fruit tray during Tet with deeper meanings, going beyond the spiritual aspect of ancient customs.

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Frequently asked questions

The fruit plate should be placed on the left side of the altar, as this is believed to bring positive energy and good luck. This practice is based on the concept of balancing the elements, where the left side represents the moon, intuition, and feminine energy. The fruits symbolize abundance, prosperity, and the sweetness of life, and by placing them on the left, it is believed that these blessings will manifest in one’s life.

In addition to the placement of the fruit plate, it is crucial to consider the overall balance and harmony of the altar. The altar should be set up in a clean and sacred space, with a cloth or mat to define the area. It is also important to include items that represent the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water. Candles, incense, crystals, and fresh flowers are often used to bring positive energy and honor the divine.

An altar serves as a sacred space for spiritual practice and a place to connect with the divine. It is a personal and intimate space where one can meditate, pray, and set intentions. The act of creating and tending to an altar helps to focus the mind, cultivate gratitude, and bring a sense of peace and clarity to one’s life.

Yes, altars can be used for various rituals and spiritual practices. For example, they can be a place to perform meditations, manifest desires, honor ancestors, celebrate full moon or solstice rituals, and set intentions for the new month or season. The altar is a versatile space that can be adapted to suit one’s unique spiritual needs and practices.

It is recommended to cleanse and rearrange your altar regularly to maintain its positive energy. This can be done by smudging with sage or palo santo, or by using sound cleansing with a singing bowl or bell. Rearranging the altar periodically helps to keep the energy flowing and can be done to mark significant life events or changes, or simply to bring a fresh perspective and intention to your spiritual practice.

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