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In every household, there is at least one altar dedicated to worshiping ancestors. The sacredness of the altar requires careful consideration of its placement, ensuring alignment with the homeowner's energy for a beautiful and meaningful setup.
When deciding on the placement of the altar, it is essential to choose a direction based on Feng Shui principles. This involves assessing the individual's compatibility with different directions, determined by their astrological sign. For wall-mounted altars, considerations include distance from the wall, height from the floor, and various dimensions.
When considering the purchase of a wall-mounted altar, beyond location and positioning, it's crucial to evaluate its size in relation to the space. Combining a shrine cabinet with the altar helps strike a balance between spiritual and aesthetic aspects, ensuring it complements the room's interior without overshadowing it.
To maintain the cleanliness of the altar, regular cleaning is imperative. This includes clearing cobwebs and dust, reflecting a respectful gesture towards ancestors. A clean and well-kept altar contributes to a home filled with positive energy and prosperity.
Key Considerations for Altar Height
For families with high ceilings, the ideal distance from the altar to the floor is between 2.5 to 3 meters. This height strikes a balance, conveying respect and solemnity. It also allows for proper ventilation and cleanliness. However, having the altar at such a height can pose challenges for lighting incense and making offerings. Homeowners can consider purchasing or crafting a two-tiered stand to facilitate these rituals.
In cases where houses have low roofs, making it impractical to place the altar at a higher position, it is advisable to position it about 70cm to 1m away from the ceiling. Following feng shui principles, it's crucial to avoid placing the altar too low, as it diminishes the sense of dignity and respect for ancestors. Placing the altar too close to the ceiling may lead to the discoloration of the ceiling due to rising incense smoke.
For young couples living independently, especially those who worship the Earth deity, choosing a compact wall-mounted altar is a practical and aesthetically pleasing option. It saves living space, enhances aesthetics, and is convenient for moving houses or relocating the altar.
Every homeowner should choose the style and size of the altar that suits their home. However, the overall consideration should always include maintaining cleanliness and airflow, preserving a solemn atmosphere in the worship area, warding off negative energies, and attracting luck and peace into their lives.
Choosing an altar must be done with precision to ensure it aligns perfectly with the wall, avoiding any uneven placement. Firstly, this ensures longevity and stability. Secondly, balancing the altar is akin to achieving balance in life without unnecessary disruptions. Additionally, the altar, where incense is lit and offerings are made, should be kept out of reach from others, except under specific circumstances permitted by the homeowner. Even with a dedicated worship space, it is advisable to keep the altar elevated.
When selecting an altar, particularly a wall-mounted one, safety is paramount. As the altar is hung on the wall, the materials used must be sturdy. Homeowners should regularly inspect these aspects as craftsmen may sometimes overlook them, compromising the overall safety of the altar.
