Hi Master Cecil,
Happy Lunar New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai!
I have a few questions which I hope you can help:
I have read from your previous postings and replies that altar dimensions from floor to table top should be between 124.1cm and 128cm, the ideal being 126cm. May I ask if this dimension includes the 'base height' of certain Guan Yin Statuettes? Some statuettes come attached with a base (e.g. a lotus flower base) of about 10cm where Guan Yin sits on, hence, if we add the dimensions of the base, it will be 136cm (if floor to table top is 126cm). On the fengshui ruler, it would not be considered auspicious, is that a concern?
Secondly, are there fixed/ auspicious dimensions for the width and depth of the altar that we must take note of?
Thirdly, does it matter if the altar is enclosed (with table top to ceiling structures built covering left and right sides of deity) or open (just a table top with no backsplash or wooden/glass walls on either side of deity? Must the internal backsplash be red/pink?
Fourthly, ancestral tablet should be on the left of the deity, so does that mean the ancestral tablet can sit on 125cm height from floor to tabletop, while deity sits on 126cm and it will be fine? Can the height difference be as little as 1cm or it must be substantial?
Finally, is there a need to have a 'divider' between the deity and ancestral tablet?
Wishing you a prosperous new year ahead.
Thank you.
