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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Reverent female Taoist attendant holding offering plate of 3 dumplings or fruits symbolizing 3 ancient gold or silver coins as a symbol of wealth and a wish for passing 3 imperial examination levels to assure the family’s status and financial stability.
Taoist God of Wealth (Caishen) portrayed as benevolent authoritative figure associated with wealth: holds tael, robe with coin decorations, painted with red and gold.
Guanyin’s elegance, compassion and serenity are emphasized in this provincial carving on 3 tiered high lotus throne on a hexagonal base with carved patterns. Portrayed in meditation with flowing robes this consecrated image was designed for personal veneration in a home setting.
Delicately detailed and consecrated Guanyin in meditation on a backless throne, flowing braids, simple necklace, 3-part crown centered with Amitabha Buddha on lotus throne surrounded by a radiating aureole. Compassionate downcast eyes, serene contemplative expression, calm smile to enhance any surrounding. It was originaly placed on a home altar and was consecrated by a Buddhist monk.l
Guanyin in lacquer and gilt sits on a lotus throne in meditation atop a decorative footed stand, regally depicted with elegantly draped robes and a 5-lobe crown with a cross hatch design. It has been consecrated for placement on a home altar.
Graceful peacock oil lamp for Hindu ritual home altar prayers signifying purity, virtuosity, goodness, good luck. Large peacock is reservoir for oil, smaller peacock the lamp’s lid. Peacocks symbolize love, joy, peace and harmony.
Small consecrated home altar provincial Mazu, finely carved on armless back chair dressed modestly in peasant robes with a phoenix in her hat, she is motherly figure who protects her devotees as her children. On Lucite stand.
Home altar provincial Queen Mother carving depicted her as approachable, humble and matronly. Iconic phoenix on headdress. Cavity with original sealed covering indicates it was consecrated.
Small table probably was in young couple’s bedroom as a wish for a prosperity, health, and many sons. Panels with Guanyin on a hǒu holding lotuses and rats with melons as fertility symbols. Perfect personal home altar or wedding gift.
Extremely ornate black lacquer cabinet with intricately carved doors, and gilded openwork panels with opening to red lacquer, gilt fringe interior with backdrop with Chinese scenes. Display of status and piety, designed as dignified display for honoring ancestral spirits.
Intricately carved black and heavily gilt cabinet is a fine example of a Straits Chinese furniture Carved openwork panels with phoenixes and lotuses are symbolic wishes for harmony, blessings, rank, good fortune; outstretched wings wish for harmonious marriage, many sons and the inside decoration a wish for status and successful career. Although somewhat flamboyant, it is a unique accent piece and great gift for newly weds.
Masterfully carved ancestor mandarin official on horseshoe chair in the round with cabriole legs, considered a “marker of high status, finely dressed in long Mandarin coat and pointed rattan hat. Benevolent face was homage to a revered family member. It is one of our favorite ancestor figures.
This ancestor figure official sits on a horseshoe chair showing his status wearing official’s attire: 5-button Mandarin long coat with a round collar and woven hat. Has a personalized tranquil face with a hint of a smile.
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