In Liuren Fajiao, the Altar (壇 - Tán) is not merely a physical shrine for veneration; it is a functioning spiritual office and a nexus that connects the practitioner to the celestial bureaucracy. This architecture is rooted in the Tang Dynasty imperial centers, refined for the "Liu Min" (Itinerant/Common) lineage through centuries of migration.
Lineage Source: While Liuren Xianshi is the primary deity, the lineage acknowledges Jiutian Xuannu (九天玄女) as the "Master of Ten Thousand Dharmas" (萬法教主) and a primordial source of the magical arts.
Imperial Authority: During the Tang Dynasty, the National Preceptor Li Chunfeng (李淳風) is traditionally credited with codifying these practices.
Portability: A hallmark of the "Liu Min" tradition is the ability to establish a sacred space anywhere, adhering to the Ba Wu Jin Ji (Hundred No Taboos) philosophy.
2. The Thirteen Guardians (玉封十三郎)
The altar is "staffed" by the Yufeng Shisanlang (玉封十三郎), often translated as the "Jade-Sealed Thirteen Gentlemen." These are not merely generic spirits but specific deities holding celestial office.
Guardian / Master
Primary Function
Practitioner Benefit
Tong Pi & Tie Gu Xian Shi (銅皮鐵骨仙師)
Masters of the "Copper Skin & Iron Bone".
Granting physical resilience and protection against trauma.
Hutan Xian Shi (護壇仙師)
Altar-Protecting Immortal Masters.
Guarding the sanctity of the ritual space and ensuring petitions ascend.
Bing Ma (兵馬)
Spiritual Soldiers & Horses.
The "field agents" dispatched for specific ritual tasks, from recovery to defense.
Requesting the presence of these Guardians is the mandatory first step in any Liuren ritual. Without the "opening of the office," the talismans remain mere ink and paper.
3. Regional Altar Traditions (地域傳承)
While the core principles remain the same, the physical manifestation of the altar varies across the major transmission paths:
Hong Kong / Huiyang Lineage: Typically features a centralized tablet for Liuren Xianshi , flanked by the "Two Zeng" masters and the Thirteen Guardians. Emphasizes the Fenghuo (Wind-Fire) intensity.
Nanyang (Southeast Asia) Lineage: Often incorporates local elements from the Gaozhou (Xie Guangming) path. Altars in Malaysia and Singapore may have a broader "Jade-Sealed Thirteen Princes" pantheon.
Hakka Heartlands: The most "Liu Min" style—often simple, hidden, and designed for rapid setup and teardown during periods of displacement.
4. Installation & Ethics (立壇守則)
Installing an altar requires a formal Fengshen (封神) consecration by a qualified Master. It is an act of "Tian Shen Biao Wen"—formally petitioning the celestial bureaucracy to recognize your residence as a spiritual station.
Xingshan Jide (行善積德)
An altar "runs" on the merit (De) of the practitioner. While the system is Ba Wu Jin Ji regarding taboos, it is extremely strict regarding Ethics . An altar used for selfish harm will eventually "close" its own doors, resulting in spiritual backlash.
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5. Visual Guide: Altar in Action (實戰演示)
Observing a consecrated altar during a celebration provides critical context for the "Living Bureaucracy." Note the arrangement of the tablet, the incense burners, and the presence of the Guardians.
Celebration: Birthday of Liuren Xianshi (六壬仙師寶誕). Observe the ceremonial flow and altar arrangement.
6. Advanced Altar Topics
The altar system extends far beyond basic setup. Explore these related topics for deeper understanding and advanced practice:
Step into the Bureaucracy. Altar installation is the first step of the Foundation Collection . Inquire for the formal petitioning procedure , or continue exploring the altar system: