The ancestral altar is a spiritual space that connects the living and the dead and is of great importance in Vietnamese families. Many people wonder if the lighting in the altar room should be bright or dark. Let’s hear what feng shui experts have to say on this matter.
Should the ancestral altar room be bright or dark?
In every Vietnamese family, regardless of the size of the house, there is always a dedicated space for worship. This is the most sacred area, and the arrangement of this space always aims to show the utmost reverence of the homeowner to their ancestors, deceased loved ones, and deities. The lighting of the altar room is an essential element in creating a sacred, solemn, and pure atmosphere.
According to feng shui principles, harmonious and reasonable lighting in the altar room not only creates a peaceful and cozy feeling for those present but also attracts positive energy. So, what does feng shui say about the lighting in the altar room? Should it be bright or dark?
On this matter, feng shui experts advise that the altar room is where deities and the spirits of ancestors reside, so strong lighting should be avoided. This space will lean towards yin energy, and overly bright lighting will disrupt the balance of yin and yang, making it difficult to gather qi and affecting the tranquility required by the ancestors and revered beings.
Therefore, when setting up an altar room or worship area, homeowners should use lamps with moderate lighting and prefer warm lighting to create a cozy atmosphere. For this space, it is best to avoid installing large chandeliers as they can cause glare and disrupt feng shui balance.
Folk feng shui beliefs also suggest that homeowners should not place the altar near a window. If your house layout requires you to place the altar close to a window, you can use curtains or a screen to block direct sunlight and reduce noise. Additionally, the altar should not face the front door, as the light and wind from the entrance can disperse the positive energy in the altar room.
What to Avoid When Setting Up an Ancestral Altar
When setting up an ancestral altar and worship space, there are several taboos you should keep in mind:
– Do not place a mirror directly across from the altar: In feng shui, mirrors are reflective surfaces that can disrupt the tranquility of the altar room.
– Avoid placing the altar near the kitchen or bathroom: These areas are considered sources of negative energy and can affect the purity of the altar room.
– Do not place the altar under a staircase: This location symbolizes oppression and is not conducive to good feng shui.
– Do not face the altar towards the front door: This direction is believed to dissipate positive energy, bringing difficulties to the family.
– Do not set up the altar in the bedroom: The bedroom is a private space that does not align with the solemnity required for an altar.
– Avoid direct lighting and wind on the altar: Feng shui masters believe that this can disturb the qi and disrupt the tranquility required by the ancestors.