Guan Yin Altar

[myfs_132264]

Hi,

We have an intention to welcome Guan Yin to our home in the near future. Please can you advise which is the best position for our home Guan Yin altar? (please see image for suggested A, B, C, D, E positions).

My husband's kua is 4, my kua is 1.

For the image of Guan Yin, is a portrait less respectful or in any way less than a figurine?

Thank you.

Regards,
Sandy.

[Cecil Lee]

1. Given the limited space in the living room, the best options are :-

Ranking 1 (Best location): Either B or E

Here, marking or location B is considered as the altar "sitting on a mountain; facing water (looking out of the window".

For marking E, it is like having a "security post" just immediately "outside" all our bedroom (door) area

Marking or location E can still be moved slightly further towards the "toilet area". But, you are correct not to place it or sharing the same wall as the toilet(s). Good choice.

2. Marking "C". If one have a "top-down" view, one can see the entire partition slicing the living room in half. It is like a knife cutting the living room (exactly in half). Considered inauspicious under this layout plan. For other layout plans, where it does not slice the living room or dining table, then it can still be considered.

This marking "C" arrangement is very commonly found in Malaysian Chinese homes and quite alot of local Singapore (typical or known as "ah beng") Chinese homes.

I believe, this is where, many Chinese get the idea from a temple. Where usually at a temple, we walk into the temple, and the gods are central, and facing the entrance door.

However, there are many more Chinese who feel that for a home, if we do face the altar looking at the door, we are like employing security guards (in the form of a god or gods) to look after our house or condo unit. Thus, if we use this argument, then, it would seem "bad manners" to do so.

3. Markings A and D are last resort, as for practical reasons, should we install curtains, and if the altar is always lighted or joss sticks, it may accidentally cause a fire. Luckily, there are windows at either side of A and or D. If not, an altar should not be "cornered" where part of it is at a L shaped corner - not auspicious ie. one side is blocked by an 'L' or wall.

Anonymous wrote:

Hi,

We have an intention to welcome Guan Yin to our home in the near future. Please can you advise which is the best position for our home Guan Yin altar? (please see image for suggested A, B, C, D, E positions).

My husband's kua is 4, my kua is 1.

For the image of Guan Yin, is a portrait less respectful or in any way less than a figurine?

Thank you.

Regards,
Sandy.

[myfs_132264]

Thanks for your advice, Mr Cecil.

Between the two best positions recommended, we feel that B is the better of the two.

However, position B is right in between 2 doorways (if including the service balcony beyond the kitchen, that makes 3). The path is very windy all the time, no matter how small the main door opening is. We are totally clueless as to how to keep flames (candles/"you deng") lighted in this path.

Challenge 1: How can we remedy this? Is there a design for altar that 'blocks' the wind or should we get something to shield the candles or "you deng" and the spiral incense?

Challenge 2: Due to the space constraints, may we place chairs against the same wall. Must we keep the wall clear of things? We were thinking of building a rackfor shoes and going-out stuff, behind the door on the same wall.

Challenge 3: If we want to invite the 'Sky' and 'Earth' gods in too, will we be able to use the same position for 'Earth god'?

Thanks!

[Cecil Lee]

Challenge 1: Yes, there are currently ready made altars that has both a roof and side panels and sufficient depth to shield the altar from the winds.

Challenge 3: In addition, such an altar already has space built in below it for an "Earth god"

Alternatively, one can get a carpenter to built a custom altar with the specific dimensions:-

Standard height for any altar: 125cm to 128cm. If a piece of glass is to be placed on the altar, then go for 125cm.
Width depends on your needs: 18cm to 23cm or 40cm to 43cm or 59.5cm to 69cm
Length: 41cm to 43cm or 59.5cm to 69cm or 71cm or 89cm or 107cm or 148cm

Challenge 2: Since, the entire wall at location marked B is pretty long, areas closer to the main door can be incorporated with shoe cabinet (further away from the altar). No major issue placing chair(s) on the same wall as the altar.

Alternatively, revert to the next best option.

Quote:

Challenge 1: How can we remedy this? Is there a design for altar that 'blocks' the wind or should we get something to shield the candles or "you deng" and the spiral incense?

Challenge 2: Due to the space constraints, may we place chairs against the same wall. Must we keep the wall clear of things? We were thinking of building a rackfor shoes and going-out stuff, behind the door on the same wall.

Challenge 3: If we want to invite the 'Sky' and 'Earth' gods in too, will we be able to use the same position for 'Earth god'?