huisaltaren

Huisaltaren are private, domestic shrines found in Dutch-speaking homes. The term is the plural form of huisaltaar, literally a “home altar.” They function as small spaces set aside for personal devotion, prayer, and remembrance within the family home.

A typical huisaltaar includes religious objects such as a crucifix or a statue/image of Jesus, Mary, or a saint, candles, flowers, devotional images, rosaries, a prayer book, and other sacramentals like blessed objects or holy water. The arrangement varies widely and may be placed on a shelf, a cabinet top, or in a quiet corner of a living room or bedroom. Lighting, flowers, and seasonal items are often added to reflect liturgical time or family traditions.

Use and practice vary by household. In Catholic homes, huisaltaren have traditionally provided a focal point for daily prayer, family devotions, and remembrance of deceased relatives. They may be used during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, or kept as a constant reminder of faith in daily life. Protestant or secular households may maintain more symbolic displays or cultural artifacts rather than a strictly devotional altar, with emphasis on personal memory or heritage rather than formal worship.

Cultural context and regional variation. In the Netherlands and Flanders, huisaltaren have historical significance as private expressions of faith within households, especially in periods when public religious life faced constraints. Today, practices range from modest, personal corners to more elaborate setups, reflecting individual beliefs, traditions, and family history.

Etymology. The word combines huis (house) and altaar (altar), with the Dutch plural form ending in -en. The singular is huisaltaar.