Definition

1. Noun:
   • Altar: A table or similar piece of furniture used for worship, prayer, and making offerings to deities, ancestors, or other revered figures. It is typically the central focus of a place of worship in a home or temple.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trên bàn thờ có đặt bài vị của tổ tiên. (On the altar, the ancestral tablets are placed.)
  • Mẹ tôi thắp hương trên bàn thờ mỗi sáng. (My mother burns incense on the altar every morning.)
  • Bàn thờ gia tiên thường được đặt ở nơi trang trọng nhất trong nhà. (The family ancestor altar is usually placed in the most solemn spot in the house.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "bàn thờ" specifically denotes the physical table or structure. The broader concept of the sacred space or shrine area that includes the altar and its surroundings is often referred to as "gian thờ" or "nơi thờ cúng".
• It is commonly modified to specify whom or what is being worshipped, e.g., "bàn thờ Phật" (Buddhist altar), "bàn thờ gia tiên" (family ancestor altar), "bàn thờ Thần Tài" (altar for the God of Wealth).

Variants and Related Words

• Bàn thờ thiên (n): An outdoor altar or worship platform for "Heaven" or celestial spirits, often found in gardens or courtyards.
• Bàn độc (n): A less common, more literary synonym for "bàn thờ".
• Án thư (n): A historical term for an altar or a ceremonial table, often used in royal or formal contexts.
• Gian thờ (n): The altar room or shrine area.
• Thờ cúng (v): To worship, to venerate.

Synonyms

• Altar: The primary and direct equivalent.
• Shrine: Can be used, though a shrine ("điện thờ", "miếu") is often a broader structure or site, while a "bàn thờ" is a specific table within it.

Related Cultural Notes

• "Bàn thờ" is a fundamental element in Vietnamese spiritual life, found in almost every home. It serves as a bridge between the living and the spiritual world (ancestors, gods, Buddhas).
• Standard items on a Vietnamese "bàn thờ" include a "bát hương" (incense bowl), candle holders, offerings of fruit or flowers, and often photographs or "bài vị" (tablets) of ancestors.
• The arrangement and upkeep of the altar are considered acts of piety ("hiếu" - filial piety) and respect.

noun

1. Altar