In Chinese folk religion, households will typically have at least one tablet for their ancestors or deities. They act as a form of effigy for either a specific deity or a passed ancestor and it is common to burn incense sticks in front of them and provide them with food offerings. This specific tablet is dedicated to Guan Yu and Mazu, two of the most well-known and revered gods. Guan Yu is both the Chinese god of war and a general protector from demons and Mazu is the great and compassionate sea goddess revered across South-East Asia for her protective and nurturing nature.