We know of the Peranakans as a fusion people – descendants of foreign visitors to the region who married the local Malays and later derived their own unique culture. This Catholic altar is an example of the fusion between Chinese design and tradition with Christianity.

This altar was orignally used for ancestor worship in the Daoist tradition, but the Peranakan family that owned it later converted it for the veneration of the Holy Family in the Catholic Christian tradition. The main image is that of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, butyou can see around the fringes of the sideboard the Chinese gods of happiness, wealth and longevity, along with auspicious animals like the phoenix.

Take a closer look at this magnificent sideboard altar at the Peranakan Museum. Remember, this is the last day to enjoy free entry after 1500hrs!

Tags: Peranakan Museum, Catholic altar