[5.] Chinese Altar: Auspicious Chinese Altar Dimensions

[myfs_159686]

Hello,
Good day.
I have a question.
Can the height of the chinese altar be 60cm or 4feet 8inches? Is this a standard height we can find in singapore?
Thanks!
Felicia Tan

[Cecil Lee]

These are some considerations:
1. If one buys off-the-shelf altar table; most of such "standard" tables have a height that is around 49 3/4 inches or 126cm. Often, such standard table(s) height is between 125 to 128 cm which is perfectly OK or acceptable.
2. But you wrote "60cm"? 60 cm is close to 2 feet. Usually, this 2 feet has to do more with the width of the (altar) table. But, 60 cm is too short for an altar?
3. 4 feet 8 inches = 56" or 142.5cm which is inauspicious. If so, the net best range is either 132cm to 134cm or higher at 145cm to 147cm or 5 feet.
4. Basically, for an altar table; and if one were to use the Feng Shui ruler; both the top - yang measurement should be red. and the yin or lower measure should also be red. (Both top and bottom range should be in red) as a guideline.

Quote

On 10/26/2014 9:48:31 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Hello,Good day.I have a
question.Can the height of the
chinese altar be 60cm or 4feet
8inches? Is this a standard
height we can find in
singapore?Thanks!Felicia Tan

[myfs_159756]

Hi Master Cecil Lee,
Currently my home is custom made an altar. I have measure my own using the normal ruler. From the floor to the table is 136cm to put my Kuan Yin God sculpture. But according to my old altar which I bought it from shop is only 126cm and it does matches with your measurement. My question is 136cm is that an inauspicious height?
I am actually asking the ID to change for me cause I feel is high. Is about 10cm different and she said is a feng shui measurement. Can you teach me how to measure using feng shui measurement? According to you when top and bottom of the ruler reach red is good??
Besides, for the ancestor I have measure is 133.8 using the normal ruler. Mind to ask what is the best measurement for the height from the floor?
Master Cecil Lee, the whole altar I measure using normal ruler tape. I just found out that even I measure from the floor but the custom made altar there is a few inches high before the 'dei chi gong' (God of deity??) table. So the measurement 136cm is still inauspicious from the floor? Should I remeasure from the 'dei chi gong' (God of deity) table? Usually the table is consider floor to us as standard unit purchase from shop does not have extra bottom.

Quote

On 10/27/2014 3:30:46 PM, Anonymous wrote:
These are some considerations:1. If one
buys off-the-shelf altar table; most of
such "standard" tables have a height
that is around 49 3/4 inches or 126cm.
Often, such standard table(s) height is
between 125 to 128 cm which is perfectly
OK or acceptable.2. But you wrote
"60cm"? 60 cm is close to 2 feet.
Usually, this 2 feet has to do more with
the width of the (altar) table. But, 60
cm is too short for an altar?3. 4 feet 8
inches = 56" or 142.5cm which is
inauspicious. If so, the net best range
is either 132cm to 134cm or higher at
145cm to 147cm or 5 feet.4. Basically,
for an altar table; and if one were to
use the Feng Shui ruler; both the top -
yang measurement should be red. and the
yin or lower measure should also be red.
(Both top and bottom range should be in
red) as a guideline.On 10/26/2014
9:48:31 PM, Felicia Tan wrote:
Hello,Good day.I have a
question.Can the height of the
chinese altar be 60cm or 4feet
8inches? Is this a standard
height we can find in
singapore?Thanks!Felicia Tan

[Cecil Lee]

These are some considerations:
1. Please refer to the two attachments.
2. As a rule-of-thumb; an altar "must" or try-to have dimensions that have both the "TOP" and "BOTTOM" (see right side of either illustration) in RED.
3. The TOP line is meant for Yang dimensions or for the Living.
3.1. Thus, if one wants to use auspicious Feng Shui dimensions for say a working table or height of a kitchen table; then one can look at the top line and any measurement in RED (auspicious).
3.2. Of course, there is no harm for any human living being furniture in both top and bottom = red.
4. The "BOTTOM" line is meant for Yin Feng Shui. Or Feng Shui for the dead. Such as for a tomb or coffin. But of course, Yin also refers to "the other side".
5. For an altar table; it is suppose to be IN HARMONY with the living (Yang = TOP) and (Yin = BOTTOM) as shown on a Feng Shui ruler.
6. Thus generally, if we buy a "standard - off the shelf" altar, most would generally conform to the TOP and BOTTOM in RED.
7. After around 126cm, the next best lower measurement is around 42". But this is not a safe height as a two year old or three year old child may have the height and hands to swipe the entire altar.
8. Thus, 126cm is the optimum. The trick here is that although 126cm is the IDEAL or optimum height;
8.1. We all know that some may add a piece of glass on top of this altar. And this may altar the height. No worries as the altar table can easily also accept between 124.1 cm to as high as 128 cm. Thus even if we add a protective glass on the altar; it will also be auspicious - if the glass is not so thick to exceed this measurement.
8.2. For some altars, they also have a table top (when standing looking at it) the ancestor table top is to the left of this full altar. And if the altar is say at 126cm; the ancestor table top is slightly lower and thus can be say 125cm and still be auspicious.
9. Your question was 136cm auspicious = No, it is inauspicious if we go by the Feng Shui ruler measurement. Please see one of the attachments.

Quote

On 11/17/2014 5:42:09 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Hi Master Cecil Lee,Currently my home is
custom made an altar. I have measure my
own using the normal ruler. From the
floor to the table is 136cm to put my
Kuan Yin God sculpture. But according to
my old altar which I bought it from shop
is only 126cm and it does matches with
your measurement. My question is 136cm
is that an inauspicious height? I am
actually asking the ID to change for me
cause I feel is high. Is about 10cm
different and she said is a feng shui
measurement. Can you teach me how to
measure using feng shui measurement?
According to you when top and bottom of
the ruler reach red is good??Besides,
for the ancestor I have measure is 133.8
using the normal ruler. Mind to ask what
is the best measurement for the height
from the floor?Master Cecil Lee, the
whole altar I measure using normal ruler
tape. I just found out that even I
measure from the floor but the custom
made altar there is a few inches high
before the 'dei chi gong' (God of
deity??) table. So the measurement 136cm
is still inauspicious from the floor?
Should I remeasure from the 'dei chi
gong' (God of deity) table? Usually the
table is consider floor to us as
standard unit purchase from shop does
not have extra bottom.On 10/27/2014
3:30:46 PM, Cecil Lee wrote: >These
are some considerations:1. If one
buys off-the-shelf altar table; most
of >such "standard" tables have a
height >that is around 49 3/4 inches
or 126cm. >Often, such standard
table(s) height is >between 125 to
128 cm which is perfectly >OK or
acceptable.2. But you wrote >"60cm"?
60 cm is close to 2 feet. >Usually,
this 2 feet has to do more with >the
width of the (altar) table. But, 60
cm is too short for an altar?3. 4
feet 8 >inches = 56" or 142.5cm which
is >inauspicious. If so, the net best
range >is either 132cm to 134cm or
higher at >145cm to 147cm or 5
feet.4. Basically, >for an altar
table; and if one were to >use the
Feng Shui ruler; both the top - >yang
measurement should be red. and the
yin or lower measure should also be
red. >(Both top and bottom range
should be in >red) as a guideline.On
10/26/2014 >9:48:31 PM, Felicia Tan
wrote: >>Hello,Good day.I
have a >>question.Can the height
of the >>chinese altar be 60cm or
4feet >>8inches? Is this a
standard >>height we can find in
singapore?Thanks!Felicia Tan

[Cecil Lee]

Please see photo.
The Feng Shui ruler on the left of the photo can easily be purchased in most (many) hardware stores around Singapore.

Quote

On 11/17/2014 6:41:03 PM, Anonymous wrote:
These are some considerations:1. Please
refer to the two attachments.2. As a
rule-of-thumb; an altar "must" or try-to
have dimensions that have both the "TOP"
and "BOTTOM" (see right side of either
illustration) in RED.3. The TOP line is
meant for Yang dimensions or for the
Living. 3.1. Thus, if one wants to use
auspicious Feng Shui dimensions for say
a working table or height of a kitchen
table; then one can look at the top line
and any measurement in RED (auspicious).
3.2. Of course, there is no harm for any
human living being furniture in both top
and bottom = red.4. The "BOTTOM" line is
meant for Yin Feng Shui. Or Feng Shui
for the dead. Such as for a tomb or
coffin. But of course, Yin also refers
to "the other side".5. For an altar
table; it is suppose to be IN HARMONY
with the living (Yang = TOP) and (Yin =
BOTTOM) as shown on a Feng Shui ruler.6.
Thus generally, if we buy a "standard -
off the shelf" altar, most would
generally conform to the TOP and BOTTOM
in RED.7. After around 126cm, the next
best lower measurement is around 42".
But this is not a safe height as a two
year old or three year old child may
have the height and hands to swipe the
entire altar.8. Thus, 126cm is the
optimum. The trick here is that although
126cm is the IDEAL or optimum height;
8.1. We all know that some may add a
piece of glass on top of this altar. And
this may altar the height. No worries as
the altar table can easily also accept
between 124.1 cm to as high as 128 cm.
Thus even if we add a protective glass
on the altar; it will also be auspicious
- if the glass is not so thick to exceed
this measurement.8.2. For some altars,
they also have a table top (when
standing looking at it) the ancestor
table top is to the left of this full
altar. And if the altar is say at 126cm;
the ancestor table top is slightly lower
and thus can be say 125cm and still be
auspicious.9. Your question was 136cm
auspicious = No, it is inauspicious if
we go by the Feng Shui ruler
measurement. Please see one of the
attachments.On 11/17/2014 5:42:09 PM,
Michelle Lim wrote:
Hi Master Cecil Lee,Currently my
home is
custom made an altar. I have measure
my
own using the normal ruler. From the
floor to the table is 136cm to put
my
Kuan Yin God sculpture. But
according to
my old altar which I bought it from
shop
is only 126cm and it does matches
with
your measurement. My question is
136cm
is that an inauspicious height? I am
actually asking the ID to change for
me
cause I feel is high. Is about 10cm
different and she said is a feng
shui
measurement. Can you teach me how to
measure using feng shui measurement?
According to you when top and bottom
of
the ruler reach red is
good??Besides,
for the ancestor I have measure is
133.8
using the normal ruler. Mind to ask
what
is the best measurement for the
height
from the floor?Master Cecil Lee, the
whole altar I measure using normal
ruler
tape. I just found out that even I
measure from the floor but the
custom
made altar there is a few inches
high
before the 'dei chi gong' (God
of
deity??) table. So the measurement
136cm
is still inauspicious from the
floor?
Should I remeasure from the 'dei chi
gong' (God of deity) table? Usually
the
table is consider floor to us as
standard unit purchase from shop
does
not have extra bottom.On 10/27/2014
3:30:46 PM, Cecil Lee wrote:
These
are some considerations:1. If one
buys off-the-shelf altar table;
most
of >such "standard" tables have a
height >that is around 49 3/4
inches
or 126cm. >Often, such standard
table(s) height is >between 125
to
128 cm which is perfectly >OK or
acceptable.2. But you wrote
"60cm"?
60 cm is close to 2 feet.
Usually,
this 2 feet has to do more with
the
width of the (altar) table. But, 60
cm is too short for an altar?3.
4
feet 8 >inches = 56" or 142.5cm
which
is >inauspicious. If so, the net
best
range >is either 132cm to 134cm
or
higher at >145cm to 147cm or 5
feet.4. Basically, >for an altar
table; and if one were to >use
the
Feng Shui ruler; both the top -
yang
measurement should be red. and the
yin or lower measure should also
be
red. >(Both top and bottom range
should be in >red) as a
guideline.On
10/26/2014 >9:48:31 PM, Felicia
Tan
wrote: >>Hello,Good
day.I
have a >>question.Can the
height
of the >>chinese altar be 60cm
or
4feet >>8inches? Is this a
standard >>height we can find
in
singapore?Thanks!Felicia Tan

[myfs_159756]

Hi Master Cecil Lee,
I want to confirm with you regarding the altar measurement. I am redo a custom made altar. As attached is the picture of the wrong doing feng shui measurement for the altar. I am confuse where to measure a correct way to give it to the new carpentry. So far Iunderstand that in general I must meet the feng shui ruler yang in red in colour wording and yin in colour wording too.Is it measure from the end panel to end panel or table end to table end as attached the picture? Which is correct if is a same design altar?
Can the design create in pillar as showed attached?
Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

You wrote: "Can the design create in pillar as showed attached?"
These are some considerations:
1. The best to understand this is to look get a clue from the past.
2. In the past, the generation of HDB flat especially those built around the 1960s to before 1980's; all such flats have a main entrance door where:
2.1. The main door has auspicious measurements that falls in the red. Since this is the main door; and for Yang Feng Shui; there is a range of measures on the Top between 80.5 cm to 91 cm that is considered auspicious.
2.2. All these HDB flat's main entrance door takes advantage of the above; by having both the main door within the auspicious dimension and also it was remarkable that both sides of the main door's frame or in your case the "pillars" also within this auspicious dimensions.
3. Thus, if one can "have the pie and eat it all" as mentioned in the above is good or great!
4. If you can find a range of measurement that the interior space is auspicious; plus the frame outer measurement is also in the red for both the top and bottom measurements - since this is an altar would be wonderful.
5. Please note that the above (para 4) is NICE-to and not a MUST-do. But at least the internal space or table top should be in red for both top/bottom measurements.
6. For example, many ready made altar tables comes with a from floor to table top of around 49 3/4 inches or around 126 cm (plus or minus). And even if one were to add a piece of glass to protect the top; the glass can be of a reasonable thickness. So long as it is no thicker than 128cm. Which is pretty reasonable tolerance or variance. Of course, if one intend to recycle a bullet proof glass from a bank's teller glass panel then it may be too thick. Otherwise, most glass is not that thick and even with the glass falls within the tolerance.
7. The idea of having a wide range e.g. if the table top is suppose to be up to 126cm. Even if a mistake has been made by say the contractor; the table can go as low as > 124cm. (see attachment). Thus, such contingencies are built in - if or should any mistake (if any) has been made).

Quote

On 12/10/2014 12:31:50 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Hi Master Cecil Lee,I want to
confirm with you regarding the
altar measurement. I am redo a
custom made altar. As attached
is the picture of the wrong
doing feng shui measurement
for the altar. I am confuse
where to measure a correct way
to give it to the new
carpentry. So far
Iunderstand that in
general I must meet the feng
shui ruler yang in red in
colour wording and yin in
colour wording too.Is it
measure from the end panel to
end panel or table end to
table end as attached the
picture? Which is correct if
is a same design altar?Can the
design create in pillar as
showed attached?Thanks.

[myfs_159756]

[Cecil Lee]

These are some considerations:
1. In your first posting, I understand that you are already aware that the altar "MUST" have both "reds" in the Feng Shui ruler. If so, then this is good.
2. Please see attached:-
2.1. All the FOUR ranges in RED; must have both in RED.
2.1.1. Including the ancestor tablet table top which is slightly lower : this should also fall under both = in red.
2.2. The rest of the other two ranges in Yellow is considered NICE to be in both RED. but if really can't then not as important as Para 1.

[myfs_159756]

Thank you Master Cecil Lee.
What about Earth God? Should the Earth God have measurement for height and width too?
Here attached showed the side viewof my current made altar which is wrong doing. Previous was only front. But according to the side as attached do I still need to follow the measurement by you for the previous attachment name altar dimensions.jpg??
Thanks

[myfs_159756]

Thank you Master Cecil Lee.
What about Earth God? Should the Earth God have measurement for height and width too?
Here attached showed the side view of my current ade altar which is wrong doing. Previous was only front. But according to the side as attached do I still need to follow the measurement by you for the previous attachment name altar dimensions.jpg??
Thanks

[myfs_159756]

Oops I think I have confused you with the sentence "Here attached showed the side view of my current made altar which is wrong doing.

Previous was only front view. But according to the side as attached do I still need to follow the measurement by you for the previous attachment name altar dimensions.jpg??".

I mean at the side view there are two small cabinet box attached with the altar.

And there are also three pillars at the left and right side for the design of this altar.

Is that auspicious having the three pillar at the both side left and rightand alsoon top of the Kuan Yin God three pillar too?

Quote

On 12/12/2014 10:40:28 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Thank you Master Cecil
Lee.What about Earth God?
Should the Earth God have
measurement for height and
width too?Here attached showed
the side view of my current
ade altar which is wrong
doing. Previous was only
front. But according to the
side as attached do I still
need to follow the measurement
by you for the previous
attachment name altar
dimensions.jpg??Thanks

 

 

 

[Cecil Lee]

A useful iphone digital Feng Shui Ruler...

[Cecil Lee]

A compact Altar with auspicious dimensions.

 

 

[Guest lim w y]

hi, width of altar 80cm, height from floor to platform where gods sit at 150cm, height of altar opening at 70cm, depth of altar cabinet at 30cm, is that ok? due to space constraint...

[Cecil Lee]

7 hours ago, Guest lim w y said:

hi, width of altar 80cm, height from floor to platform where gods sit at 150cm, height of altar opening at 70cm, depth of altar cabinet at 30cm, is that ok? due to space constraint...

80cm is inauspicious. Thus other than the standard measurement of 60cm; Perhaps may consider either 67cm or 68cm instead.

Height of altar opening is usually in multiples of 43cm. Thus can be 43 x 2 or 43 x 3 etc...

Minimium depth of altar cabinet should instead be 40cm not 30cm.

[Guest lim w y]

hi, thank you for the information. i will look into the width to be at 68cm, however the height of the platform where the gods sit at 133cm, is it auspicious? 

 

thank you! 

[Cecil Lee]

22 hours ago, Guest lim w y said:

hi, thank you for the information. i will look into the width to be at 68cm, however the height of the platform where the gods sit at 133cm, is it auspicious? 

 

thank you! 

133cm is okay or that 134cm better.

Frankly, the most optimum height is 126cm!

[Cecil Lee]

Another altar taboo is the number of Gods.

On an altar, the God(s) must be odd numbers. For example : 1 God, 3 God... hmmm 5 God may be a little too much. 

Please note that the above excludes the Ancestor tablet. As tablets of ancestors are non-Gods.

[Guest lim w y]

Hi again, thank you very much for the info. 

Is it okay for the carpenters to continue working after the gods have moved into the new house altar? The altar, TV console and shoe cabinet (in the living room where the altar is located) is fully completed and ready.

As there is a auspicious date given to us, but the contractor is not able to complete the renovations before the date for gods to be brought over. 

Date for gods to be brought over - 3rd August 2018

What is left to be done - Installation of Kitchen cabinets (kitchen is separated from living room by glass door & wall), room doors, main door, Installation of ceiling fan & other sanitaryware, final touch up of paints, final clean-up of the flooring & house in general by contractors, and replacement of main gate. After which would be the moving of the belongings and furniture. 

Thank you again!

[Cecil Lee]

1. So Long as the work is not next to your god(s)

2. If you are considered moved-in; go read the areas to avoid “further renovations”...

[Guest Altar table]

Hi 

I will like to ask if I include a glass at the altar table , must it be red or transparent . The background of my table is light green , I want to include transparent glass . 

 

[Cecil Lee]

Generally, both colours are acceptable.

The colour black is however less accepted by many with an altar.

[Guest Jess Low]

Hello Master 

I intend to custom made my alter for my ancestor n 三宝公。my contractor Given the measurements is height - L900mm H50 inches can ? 

[Cecil Lee]

H50 inches is acceptable. But optimal Height should instead be 49 3/4 inches or 126cm

However Length 900mm should instead be either be between the range of 88cm to 88.5cm.

 

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