Altar cloth, known as tok wi in Baba Malay, was attached to the front of altar tables. The embroidered design features auspicious motifs such as a qilin, a mythical hoofed Chinese chimerical creature that symbolises virility; the eight Daoist immortals and the God of longevity, Shou Lao. The gay colours suggest that this altar cloth was used during special occasions such as feast days. Wealthy Peranakan families purchase altar cloths of different background colours for specific use during funerals and weddings.
