What Is the Purpose of a Chinese Alter Table?

Ancestor Worship

• Ancestor worship adheres to the belief that the deceased are still spiritually present and capable of having an impact on the living world. It is a ritual practice to ensure the well being and continued prosperity of the deceased's spirit. Practitioners also believe that family spirits can be looked to for favors and assistance.

Guardian Spirits

• Family spirits in traditional ancestor worship are believed to be guardian forces over living descendants. By continuing to honor the deceased postmortem, the family carries on the tradition of respect for elderly relatives. By placing offerings that the dead enjoyed in life on the altar table, the family earns merit from the deceased.

Spirit Houses

• Many Chinese practitioners of ancestor worship keep small shrines, or spirit houses, in their homes or shops. These function in the same way as the Chinese altar table in that they honor the deceased relatives of the living in order to insure good luck and fortune. According to Chinese custom, the spirit houses are painted red and gold and often contain a lit bulb.

Altar Table Contents

• The contents of the Chinese altar table and shrines can vary, depending on items favored by the deceased in life. A photograph of the deceased is customary, as are favorite foods, drinks and items of clothing. Money is also present, as the after life is believed to be similar to the life of the living, and money is needed to gain comfort even after deceased. Often, the money is not real money but is instead symbolic bills, known as "spirit money."

Contemporary Use

• While the Chinese altar table originated in China, with roots in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, the practice of altar building can be adopted by anyone looking to honor loved ones who have passed away. The style of the Chinese altar table has also become popular in Western homes for its intrinsic beauty and does not have to be used as an honorary offering for deceased relatives.