Altars: Say A Prayer, Light A Candle, Give an Offering...We All Have One
Churches. Temples. Houses. There are many places you might see an altar. Whether it is a small candle with some herbs and crystals or a side table with pictures of those who have passed away, all of these are considered altars. Many do not realize but an altar is a sacred space where one could put sacred energy into. Mexicans have their Ofrendas, Hispanics have Bóvedas. Catholics have their Consecrated altars in their churches. Pagans with their own place of sacred space at home. Every place you go you may see an altar and ironically even though they are all different, it is one of the main things we all have in common.
Altar by definition is “a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship —often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value especially at the cost of something else” (Marriam-Webster). Whether it is candles, incense, food offerings, animal offerings or a simple space with a respected sacred energy. This way of veneration is specific to whoever deity you are worshipping. Some religions may call it a shrine while others may call it an altar but all have the same foundation of being a place of worship.
The Cultural Uses of Altars:
Mexicans call their altars ofrendas which are altars used specifically during El Día De Los Muertos to respect those who have passed away. Usually offerings are placed on the ofrenda or in front of it. These offerings are usually the favorite foods, drinks, snacks and items of those who had passed. Read more in our detailed article! (Link)
Catholics have their altar in their church which is the place where the priest consecrates the bread and wine into the blood and wine of Jesus Christ. The priest acts a vessel for Jesus Christ to bless the blood and wine just as Jesus Christ had done during the Last Supper.
Hindus gave their altars in the Hindu Temples with pictures of their gods or goddesses they worship. Smaller altars are usually found in the household of Hindus with similar attributes. the Statue of the god is called the Murti which is placed on a stone pedestal. The offerings tray which is known as the puja tray is a space for any worship offerings to that deity. The Vahana is the vehicle of the deity which resides right outside the shrine. The doors of the Hindus’ shrine remain closed when the deity is “sleeping”.
Taoists may have their altars within or outside the temples, that being within households. They honor traditional deities and ancestral spirits. Almost all Chinese traditions based religions initiates baibai (拜拜) which is bowing towards an altar, with a stick of incense in one's hand. On certain days, sacrifices may be left to said deities or spirits on the altar which may include rice, slaughtered pigs and ducks, or fruit.
Buddhists have their own altars called butsudan or spirit house and it encloses a religious image of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, or mandala scroll. The candles, incense, bells, and offering platforms are all known as the butsugu. Their memorial tablets for those who are deceased is called the ihai. Buddhists pray every morning and evening in front of the shrine but may also meditate in front of it as well.
Grab a side table, your holy statues, candles, clear glasses, incense and create that sacred space. Whether it is in your own house, or even a holy place of worship, altars are everywhere and they tie us together despite religious practices. so where will you make your own sacred space in your home? An Altar is awaiting you! Don’t forget to call down your deities!
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