Top 9 Important Tips You Need to Know When Setting Up an Altar According to Feng Shui

The person setting up the altar, or arranging the offerings, plays a crucial role. Typically, the head of the household is responsible for lighting the incense or cleaning the altar during the first setup.

It’s important to ensure that pregnant women do not touch the altar or incense bowls, as they are believed to carry negative energy. When cleaning the altar or incense bowls, the head of the household should wear proper, clean attire and wash their hands beforehand to maintain the solemnity and respect of the ritual.

The most important offerings on the altar are incense, fresh flowers, fresh fruits, and clean water. It’s crucial to avoid using artificial items, such as plastic fruits. After the offerings have been made, they should be removed to receive blessings; do not leave them on the altar from one month to the next.

Additionally, do not place salty food or money on the altar. When arranging the altar for the Buddha, ensure it is placed higher and separate from the ancestral altar.

Only essential items should be placed on the altar, and they should be arranged neatly. Many people mistakenly believe that items like recognition certificates from temples should be placed on the altar, but this is not correct. Depending on the size of the home and living conditions, the arrangement of the ancestral altar will vary. Typically, there are one to three incense bowls: the central one for deities and local spirits, and the side bowls for ancestors and distant relatives.

In front of the incense bowls: Place a small tray with three clean bowls of water. On either side, put plates with fresh fruits, betel leaves, and incense paper.

Behind the incense bowls: Place vases for fresh flowers, incense, and candles. The arrangement varies based on the material of the items.

• For ceramic items: The three-piece set includes an incense bowl, two lamps, and the five-piece set adds two vases (one for fresh flowers and one for incense), while the seven-piece set adds two additional vases (for water and rice).
• For brass items: The three-piece set includes a brass censer instead of the incense bowl, along with two cranes, the five-piece set adds two incense holders, and the seven-piece set includes two lamps.

In every Vietnamese household, a special and sacred space is dedicated to display calligraphy scrolls and couplets. This is a distinctive cultural feature in the spiritual life of the people.

Typically, the calligraphy scrolls are painted in red with golden characters, often in the form of a traditional scroll. The words on the scrolls are meant to express respect and reverence from descendants towards their ancestors, to honor their contributions, and to remind future generations of their teachings. They may also carry wishes for peace and prosperity.

On either side of the altar, couplets are displayed. These are not only decorative but also serve as a reminder of moral values, praise for the family’s heritage, or prayers for peace and prosperity.

Trong phòng thờ, hệ thống tủ - bàn thờ phải có quy mô và hình thức tương xứng để có thể tạo nên sự trang nghiêm cho không gian thờ cúng. Kích thước tủ thờ không nên quá to vì dễ gây cảm giác hoành tráng nhưng cũng không nên quá nhỏ so với không gian trong phòng.

Nếu bàn thờ được đặt tại các không gian khác như phòng sinh hoạt chung, phòng khách,… thì tủ thờ cần được thiết kế sao phù hợp về tỉ lệ với kích thước của phòng và tương quan với các đồ nội thất khác. Ở những khu vực này, tủ - bàn thờ nên được thiết kế thật đơn giản, tránh sự cầu kỳ hay gây cảm giác nặng nề e sợ. Bàn thờ phải tạo được sự trang nghiêm nhưng mà vẫn phải đảm bảo mang lại cảm giác gần gũi với các thành viên trong gia đình cũng như các sinh hoạt chung khác.

Ngoài ra, vật liệu và màu sắc của tủ - bàn thờ cũng phải được lựa chọn sao cho phù hợp, nên sử dụng các màu trầm như màu gỗ nâu sậm là tốt nhất. Các chi tiết về lát sàn, trần, chiếu sáng, bát nhang, đèn nến, lọ hoa,... nên được bày cho thật cân đối.

Tại các căn hộ chung cư, trong trường hợp tủ thờ để ở phòng chức năng nào đó hoặc không gian chung, thì có thể dùng hình thức tủ thờ kết hợp với tủ trang trí, tủ bày đồ lưu niệm, tủ ngăn phòng,…

According to Feng Shui and Vietnamese ancestral worship traditions, improper altar placement can negatively affect the family's fortune and luck. Therefore, it is important to avoid the following:

• Avoid placing divine statues or sacred objects against the same wall as the bathroom, opposite to it, or directly beneath an upper-floor bathroom.
• Do not place statues or sacred objects under beams, near stairs, or facing the stairs.
• Never place divine statues in the bedroom, especially in the couples' bedroom.
• The memorial tablets should never be placed directly against a wall.
• Avoid placing objects under the altar.

This is the most crucial factor to consider when setting up an altar at home. The altar's location must be carefully chosen from the start during the design phase of the house to ensure a harmonious setting.

• Setting the altar according to direction: From a Feng Shui perspective, the ideal direction for the altar is facing the main door. The back of the altar should not face a window or glass door; instead, it must be against a solid wall. The altar should be positioned according to the owner's birth chart for optimal results. Additionally, placing the altar in the northwest direction is ideal, as it represents the sunrise and brings glory and good fortune to the family.
• Setting the altar according to location:
  • For multi-story homes, the altar is usually placed in a dedicated room on the top floor. This location provides the highest and most solemn space, making it easier for the family to conduct rituals and outdoor offerings.
  • For homes with three or five rooms, the central room is the best choice for the altar. This location is symbolic as it opens to the world and harmonizes the energies of heaven and earth.
• Setting the altar according to height:
  • The altar must be placed at an appropriate height to show respect and reverence for ancestors and loved ones who have passed.
  • In city homes, the altar should always be placed on the uppermost floor, not on the ground floor or in the living room, as incense smoke can stain the ceiling and create an uncomfortable atmosphere for guests. It also prevents the memorial tablets and ancestor images from being visible to outsiders.
  • Moreover, avoid placing the altar in dark corners or areas with poor lighting. Ensure the altar is well-lit and that incense is burned regularly to maintain cleanliness and respect for the ancestors.
• Setting the altar according to size: Choose an altar size that fits the space. Avoid using a large altar in a small room or vice versa, as this will not only disrupt the room’s aesthetic but also fail to convey the proper reverence for ancestors.

• Given that worship rooms are typically small, it is best to choose small hanging lights proportional to the room size, avoiding large chandeliers that can disrupt the balance. Additionally, ensure the lighting does not shine directly on those seated during rituals.
• Avoid using excessively large or high-power lights, such as chandeliers, in small rooms.
• If the walls are painted light colors, avoid installing too many light bulbs, as this could detract from the solemnity of the space. A maximum of 2-3 light sources should be sufficient.
• It is recommended to use white light as the main source, with small accents of red or yellow light.
• If there are paintings on the walls, consider installing two wall-mounted lights symmetrically on either side of the artwork.

Typically, setting up the altar is done simultaneously with the housewarming ceremony. In addition to choosing an auspicious time for the ceremony and rituals, attention is also given to selecting a period when the star Bát Bạch is present to counteract negative energy.

In summary, to choose the best time for setting up your altar, it is recommended to consult with a feng shui expert to ensure both the timing and placement of the altar are optimal, avoiding any potential taboos.