The truth behind the Hmong shrine is that the artifact itself is important to the Hmong culture. My parents’ shrine was passed by my paternal grandparents.  This shrine is like a small table.  It has special paper with designs decorating it.  It also has chicken feathers and blood on the paper, which typically hangs on the wall.  There are two papers. My parents told me that the shrine can give you goodluck. My parents also said, “if you lose your spirits the shrine can bring it back to your body wherever it is or wherever you got scared from.” For example when you do a Hmong wedding you have to do hu plig (calling of the soul) and khi tes (blessing of a new beginning/welcoming back your spirit). When a Hmong family hu plig or ua neeg we have to sacrifice an animal such as a   pig, cow, chicken, and etc.  These are done in a special way near the shrine.  One person is granting them good luck and other people are tying yarn on the married couple’s wrist.  This is why the Hmong shrine is important to me, because it might be passed down to us by my mom and dad.  It might grant me good luck in the near future.
 

– Tou Lee

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant