Silent Hill f – Altar Puzzle (Shrine Path)

This is the first major puzzle when you slip into the Otherworld during the Shrine Path. You have five offerings and five pedestals. The core rule: inspect each offering and match its symbol/thread-knot motif to the pedestal. If you prefer a direct answer, use the difficulty-specific solutions below.

Quick Solutions by Difficulty

Story (Left → Right)

Fan
Dried Fish
Vase/Bottle
Dead Bird
Dead Mouse

Direct left-to-right order verified by GamesRadar & GameSpot. Item naming may vary (vase/bottle), but placement remains the same.

Hard (Example Mapping)

Hard focuses on visual motifs (plants/knots). If you want a straight answer, use this mapping PCGamesN documented (left-to-right, top-to-bottom from their screenshot):

Fish
Origami Kimono/Dress
Paper Fan
Vase
Rat

If nothing happens, re-check the symbol/knots under each pedestal and the markings on the offering (some are on the underside).

Lost in the Fog (Grid Positions)

In Fog, the game leans on positional logic. Place the offerings in this 2×3 layout (as commonly referenced):

Top-left: Fish
Top-right: Rat
Bottom-left: Paper Fan
Bottom-middle: Kimono
Bottom-right: Vase

This grid placement has been repeatedly confirmed for Fog mode. Use it if symbol-matching feels too ambiguous.

How to Solve It Yourself (Logic in 10 Seconds)

Inspect each offering (rotate it) to find the knot/sigil.
Match that mark to the pedestal engraving.
Place all five; the scene auto-progresses after the last correct placement.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Understanding the Puzzle

The Altar Puzzle requires you to match five ceremonial offerings to their corresponding pedestals based on symbolic markings. Each difficulty level changes either the symbols themselves or their complexity.

General Strategy

Examine Everything: Pick up each offering and rotate it to see all sides
Check Pedestals: Look for engravings, symbols, or markings on each pedestal
Symbol Matching: Connect the offering's mark to the pedestal's symbol
Placement Order: The order of placement doesn't matter, only correct positioning

Common Items Across Difficulties

Fan/Paper Fan: Usually has wind or air-related symbols
Fish/Dried Fish: Look for water or wave markings
Vase/Bottle: Often features earth or vessel symbols
Bird/Dead Bird: Associated with sky or flight symbols
Mouse/Rat: Connected to earth or small creature markings
Kimono/Dress: May have thread or fabric-related symbols

Troubleshooting

If nothing triggers: one item is mismatched—re-check the underside of the vase/rat.
Names differ by localization: symbols are the source of truth.
Stand positions can feel offset: go by left-to-right order rather than depth.
Double-check all angles: Some symbols are only visible when you rotate the offering
Lighting issues: Use your flashlight to better see pedestal engravings

Difficulty-Specific Tips

Story Mode

The most straightforward version with clear, easily visible symbols. If you're stuck, the left-to-right solution above should work immediately.

Hard Mode

Symbols become more abstract and may require closer inspection. Look for plant motifs, knot patterns, and more subtle engravings.

Lost in the Fog

The most challenging version where positioning becomes crucial. The grid layout provided above is your best bet if symbol matching proves too difficult.

References: GamesRadar altar solution; GameSpot left-to-right placements; PCGamesN difficulty logic & Hard example; AllThings.How Fog grid; GameRant & Wccftech method tips.