In many world religions, home altars are spiritual tables on which sacred images, symbols or texts are placed and honored with offerings made for venerating deities and/or ancestors by family members that generally include light from candles or lamps, incense, flowers, food, and water. In Buddhism, home altars are physical spaces that support spiritual practice, encourage devotees to attain enlightenment and show gratitude to the Buddha for showing the way to enlightenment. Buddha and Buddhist deity statues and other spiritual symbols remind devotees of the qualities of Buddha’s wisdom and compassion and serve to inspire devotees to develop these qualities as they recall Buddha’s teachings.
Chinese Taoist and Popular Religion family home altars or shrines (Kam or Kung) honor ancestors, attract blessings and avert malevolent forces and influences. Ancestor worship is a family affair to communicate with and provide greetings and support to the deceased, engage in prayer, display filial piety and make offerings to ancestor statues and/or tablets. Taoist, Popular Religion and Buddhist deities maybe placed along with images of Taoist and Buddhist priests, deified local heroes and legends. Home altar statues are blessed in an eye-opening consecration ceremony performed by a Taoist or Buddhist priest or monk to imbue with them with chi and give them life. Offerings of candles, incense and foods are placed to attract blessings of fu which they augmented by placing furniture in certain locations and using propitious colors (red and gold attracts the most fu).
In Hinduism, the home altar is the most important part of a household where all family actions and decisions are made, special events are celebrated, and members gather to perform daily prayers (puja) to show reverence and devotion through prayer, supplication, songs, ceremonial worship and rituals. Hindu statues, images of deities who protect the family and engender good fortune, are placed there along with other ritual items of devotion.
Home altars are now viewed as spiritual, and often meditational spaces to celebrate one’s family. Along with spiritual icons or statues, they include photos of loved ones, well-loved mementos or trinkets, hand-written notes, or letters. Additional spiritual elements include candles, crystals, or incense.
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Although this ancestor is depicted as an official, his atypically benevolent face makes him a very endearing figure. Due to South China’s climate and modernization, it repainted in the 20th century, common in weathered carvings.
Attendant Chou Ts’ang, to Guandi, most revered Chinese military hero and Taoist God of War, hands clasped and eyes down in respect wearing detailed military clothing and boots on high pedestal with painted gold florals.
Sensitive modeling of the face, body and lotus base, its appealing features and graceful garments, make this diminutive statue truly endearing. The rear inscription indicates it was commissioned to celebrate the wedding of a daughter and, as such would make a superb wedding gift.
Rare antique, wood Theravada Lao Buddha in abhaya mudra symbolizing reassurance, divine protection, and dispelling fear. Gilt paint reflects his golden skin.
Graceful celestial attendant carrying offerings with ribbon winding around her with a modest and serene demeanor honoring the deity she attends.
Either a Taoist house deity/dignitary or an ancestor figure, this colorful provincial carving has painted calligraphy identifying his name. The image has characteristics of Guandi, the God of War holding a tael or a military seal with military maille.
Ancestor figure portrayed as a civilian official standing on a rectangular base with hands together wearing a long civil official’s robe that extends to his shoes.
Taoist official home altar carving painted on front and back with red, gilt and lacquer. Hands under ritual cloth symbolically holding a hu tablet associated with Taoist officials. Taoist were responsible for protecting against evil in this life, Buddhist for souls in next life.
This carved food offering was an auspicious bed ornament to bring the lucky couple prosperity, health, a long life and many sons as the pomegranate symbolizes fertility, the peaches longevity. Carved offerings were often wedding gifts.
This ancestor figure portrayed as a Chinese civilian official honors the family with his sign of high status. He grasps his official’s belt, his red robes symbolize fu for auspicious blessings. Unlike many serious officials he is approachable, with a smiling face.
Dhorka brass lost wax method grain and rice measuring bowl. One-of-a-kind intricately decorated with horizontal and triangular striations. Bowls were symbol of Hindu goddess Lakshmi placed on home altars for puja.
Dhorka brass lost wax grain and rice measuring bowl. One-of-a-kind intricately decorated with horizontal and triangular striations. Bowls were symbol of Hindu goddess Lakshmi placed on home altars for puja.
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