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Why are artificial flowers not suitable for altars?

The advice of our ancestors about not using fake flowers for decoration and worship is indeed valid. There is a reason behind it.

Administrator

30 January, 2024

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On the altar, many families often display a variety of artificial and dried flowers to decorate and keep the space of the altar and worship area always lively, even on days that are not the full moon.

Why should not artificial flowers be displayed on the altar?

Although many people believe that decorating the altar and worship area with artificial and dried flowers can bring about feng shui bad luck and waste financial luck, the reality is that if they are used as decorative items rather than offerings, they are just simple decorations. It cannot be said that they affect the respect for ancestors and deities.

Indeed, it is only when they are used as offerings, such as artificial flowers, artificial fruits, fake food, that they can be considered disrespectful. Using them for decoration is just a matter of preference and there are no strict rules.

However, on the altar, the use of artificial and dried flowers is only decorative and does not support the worship ritual. The altar, where the weekly rituals often take place, usually requires ritual items such as fresh flowers, fruits, food, and tea. The lack of decorative flowers on these days is not a problem as long as the altar is kept clean and not neglected or dirty.

In addition, decorating with dried and artificial flowers can create conditions for fine dust and dirt to cling to, causing inconvenience in maintaining the cleanliness of the worship area. Therefore, this decoration can be considered unnecessary.

According to feng shui beliefs, decorative items like dried flowers and artificial flowers often do not carry yang energy, and therefore should not be placed in the house or worship area. Especially, using dried flowers or silk flowers as a substitute for fresh flowers in the worship offerings is not considered wholehearted according to feng shui beliefs, and this is considered inauspicious.

The altar, especially the worship room, is considered a solemn and sacred place in the family. The homeowner needs to ensure caution and sincerity when performing worship rituals. Ritual offerings are not just about displaying enough items, but more importantly, the spiritual and sincere attitude in worship. The principle “ritual offerings are not equal to sincere reverence” is highly valued, and placing worship items must be done with sincerity and respect.

According to feng shui beliefs, fake objects, gold horses, and dragons should not be placed on the altar, as these items often do not bring positive energy and can affect the sacredness of the worship space.

Also, according to feng shui views, fruits such as lilies, jasmine, oleander, dahlia, tuberose, and marigold… often carry negative meanings and have unlucky names, so they should not be used for offering.