On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, during holidays, and on death anniversaries, flower arrangements are an indispensable part of ancestral worship. Arranging flowers on the altar not only shows reverence but also helps attract and accumulate fortune.
Fresh flowers bring new life and are the essence of nature, helping to create a fragrant and solemn worship space. Placing a flower vase on the altar not only enhances the family’s prosperity but also attracts blessings from ancestors and deities. However, not everyone knows the correct way to arrange flowers on the altar.
Why do well-off families usually place a flower vase on the left side of the altar when burning incense?
Typically, wealthy families highly value worship and spiritual rituals. They believe that arranging the altar according to Feng Shui principles shows respect for their ancestors and brings good fortune to the family.
When there is only one flower vase, it is usually placed on the left side of the altar. This follows the rule of “east for flowers, west for fruits,” meaning the flower vase should be placed in the east direction while the fruit plate should be in the west.
According to natural laws, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and flowers usually bloom before fruits ripen. Therefore, placing the flower vase in the east and the fruit plate in the west aligns with natural laws, making things go more smoothly and favorably.
If the altar faces the main door in a southern direction, placing the flower vase on the left (east) will allow the flower’s fragrance to permeate the room when the east or southeast wind blows, creating a serene and solemn worship space.
When using two flower vases, arrange them symmetrically on both sides, while the fruit plate should be placed in the middle, directly in front of the incense burner. This arrangement not only makes the altar more complete and cozy but also preserves the meaning of the flower vase.
In addition to the flower vase, the host should also pay attention to other worship items such as the three (or five) ceremonial items, the ceremonial tray, and the incense holder to enhance the solemnity of the worship space. For smaller altars, such as those hung on walls, a single flower vase and an incense holder placed opposite each other may suffice.
Avoid placing too many flower vases on the altar, as this will not increase positive energy and may even cause imbalance with other worship items.
The flower vase should be made of ceramic, porcelain, or glass, and materials like copper or iron should be avoided. Flowers for the altar should have a gentle fragrance, no sharp thorns, and be neatly trimmed to ensure spiritual value and safety.
Wealthy families often attach great importance to worship and spiritual rituals. They believe that arranging the altar according to Feng Shui principles demonstrates respect for their ancestors and brings good fortune to the family.
When there is only one flower vase, it is typically placed on the left side of the altar, following the rule of “east for flowers, west for fruits.” This means that the flower vase should be positioned in the eastern direction while the fruit plate should be in the west.
In accordance with the laws of nature, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and flowers usually bloom before fruits ripen. Therefore, placing the flower vase in the east and the fruit plate in the west aligns with the natural order of things, making events flow more smoothly and favorably.
If the altar faces the main door to the south, positioning the flower vase on the left (east) will allow the fragrance of the flowers to permeate the room when the east or southeast wind blows, creating a serene and sacred worship atmosphere.
When using two flower vases, arrange them symmetrically on both sides of the altar, with the fruit plate placed in the center, directly in front of the incense holder. This setup not only makes the altar appear more complete and inviting but also preserves the symbolic meaning of the flower vase.