The incense burner is an essential object in worship, believed to be a spiritual link between the afterlife and the living world, where prayers and tributes to the ancestors are offered.
Thus, it is thought to deeply influence the family’s wealth and fate. Should you notice any of the following four signs related to the incense burner, take immediate action to rectify them and maintain prosperity.
Incense Burner Out of Place
The incense burner should remain stationary on the altar, even during cleaning. Moving it causes an imbalance and instability within the family dynamics, impacting wealth. When cleaning the altar or needing to move the burner, it is advisable to prepare an offering (according to your means), light incense, and pray for permission from the deities and ancestors.
External factors like animals running by, other offerings falling onto the burner, or wind can cause it to move. Place the burner back in its original position and add fresh rice husk ash. Additionally, use consecrated water to clean the burner and the altar as a sign of reverence, seeking forgiveness from the deities and ancestors.
Cracked or Broken Incense Burner
In folk belief, a cracked or broken incense burner signifies bad luck and impending misfortune. It is also seen as a health omen for family members. If this occurs, promptly clean the altar and replace the burner with a new one, positioning it in a fixed, auspicious location to demonstrate sincerity to the deities and ancestors.
Incense Burner Filled with Sand
While some use sand as a base in the burner, it is considered a major taboo in feng shui. Sand symbolizes dirt and impurity, contrasting the desired cleanliness and purity of the incense burner. Instead, use rice husk ash made from straw and husks of glutinous rice. This ash should be thoroughly cleaned and placed in the burner. It represents simplicity and is deeply rooted in Vietnam’s agricultural heritage.
The fluffy, lightweight ash makes it easy to insert incense sticks, ensuring they remain upright. Using rice husk ash demonstrates reverence to the deities and ancestors while facilitating the incense-burning process.
Stone Incense Burner
Placing a stone incense burner on the family altar is considered inappropriate. Such burners are reserved for communal worship places like temples and shrines. Using a stone burner on a home altar is believed to hinder family wealth. For your home altar, opt for a ceramic incense burner instead.
If your family’s incense burner exhibits any of these four issues, address them promptly to maintain harmony and prosperity within the household.
Information provided is for reference only.
