Showing posts with label Chinese New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese New Year. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Celebrating Chinese New Year 2025: The Lantern of Hope

When we feel stuck and not moving forward, there's an absence of light from within that serves as an internal compass. The light that guides us could have been dimmed momentarily, so we sincerely appreciate the light even in dark times.

This time of year, we celebrate the Lunar New Year in Vancouver. When we see and experience the Grand Parade in Vancouver's Chinatown, we feel great about the festive and vibrant way of welcoming the year.

This year's Lunar New Year, starting on January 29, 2025, is a widely celebrated event in cultures influenced by the Chinese community. The most anticipated part is the Grand Parade, which draws a hundred thousand spectators to witness the graceful dancers and the captivating dragon and lion dances. 

Living in Vancouver's late winter season, we were excited for the first significant snowfall on February 2, the day of the Grand Parade. However, the weather had other plans, and we had to forgo the opportunity to witness the vibrant event. 

The Grand Parade in 2023 and 2024 was a sight to behold, and we're always eager to be part of the festivity. Despite missing out this year, we are already looking forward to the next Lunar New Year, living in the positive spirit that it brings.

But then we discovered the "Lantern City," a visual display of giant and colorful lanterns in various locations in Vancouver. The lanterns are displayed until a few days after the Lantern Festival on February 12, which marks the end of the Lunar New Year.


On a sunny weekend, February 8, we seized the opportunity to explore the Lantern City. We visited three out of five locations: Robson Square, Pendulum Gallery, and Benthall Centre, each offering a unique and vibrant display of giant lanterns. 

Vancouver is a highly walkable city, so we could walk from one location to another. It took us an hour to see and appreciate the giant lanterns in three places.

The Lantern City started in 2019 when they invited Indigenous artists to paint their art on a giant lantern that turns into a colorful masterpiece. This visual bridging of cultures fosters a sense of unity and acceptance. It showcases an artistic rendition of one's emotions, ethnicity, and cultural background and is shared with a broader audience.

The Lantern display in Robson Square was the most colorful and diverse, showcasing lanterns from various cultures, including a lantern painted by a Filipino artist, Mayo Landicho. He called his art "Armour of the Serpiente," representing the Filipino people's strength, courage, and resiliency.

The lantern and art display in the Pendulum Gallery showcases Taiwanese stories and culture, and the ones in Benthall Centre are giant lanterns similar to the Robson Square display. All these giant lanterns light up at night, giving vibrant and vivid glow-in-the-dark visuals.

The year 2025 is the year of the Wood Snake. It's a year of creativity, growth, and transformation. The previous years have been auspicious since they brought more extraordinary luck and success in many aspects of life.

I started celebrating the Lunar New Year, popularly called Chinese New Year, in 2013 in Binondo Chinatown in Manila, Philippines. That was the beginning of my journey to experience the Chinese culture and beliefs, which I've learned to adopt in my way of living.

I'm optimistic that this year of the Wood-snake will bring luck and prosperity. With the power of positive affirmations, things will manifest by God's will.

Renewal and transformation

This is the time to let go of the old and obsolete and embrace new habits and beliefs. The courage for personal renewal may be challenging, but our desire can bring meaningful and significant transformation in our lives. 

Wisdom and Growth

Seeking wisdom makes life meaningful as we tend to solve complex mysteries. A life full of wisdom makes us understand ourselves better, leading to a better version and letting go of our old selves. 

Hopes and Desires 

Living in fear only makes life miserable, but living in hope and desires makes life worth living. As we journey, we hope for the best and fulfill our heart's deepest desires. 

The Lantern City reminds us that in times of chaos and difficulty, we always have a chance to pause, enjoy, learn, and live our best lives. Amidst the darkness of life, there's always a lantern that sparks joy, lifts up the spirit, and gives lasting hope.


©️ 2025 Del Cusay


Monday, February 12, 2024

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠, 𝙬𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙨. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨; 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.

As I celebrate the Lunar New Year of 2024, I desire to be fearless and feisty. I must leave the energy of living in fear to unblock energies leading to success and prosperity.

This year's Lunar New Year is special as we celebrate Vancouver's 50th Annual Lunar New Year Parade. Thousands of spectators participated and attended this colorful and festive event.


As I immerse myself in the vibrant celebrations of Vancouver's 50th Annual Lunar New Year Parade, I am struck by the profound sense of community and inclusivity in Chinatown. This event transcends cultural boundaries, uniting people from diverse backgrounds in a shared experience of joy and excitement. Whether it's their first Lunar New Year or a familiar tradition, everyone is welcomed and feels the blessings of the Deity or Supreme Being.

It's the enthusiasm to feel connected to a unique and beautiful culture. It's the eagerness to learn and understand about a strong and vibrant culture. 

This year, as we welcome the auspicious Wood Dragon, I am reminded of the profound influence of a positive mindset. In Chinese beliefs, the Wood Dragon is the luckiest of all the animal signs, symbolizing high luck and prosperity. This resonates deeply with me, as I have experienced firsthand the power of a positive mindset in attracting positive manifestations.


Over the years, I have celebrated the Lunar New Year with joy and anticipation. Each celebration has been a testament to the power of positive manifestations in starting the year on a hopeful note. From new beginnings to auspicious celebrations, each Lunar New Year has brought its unique blessings and lessons. 

I've learned to integrate cultural beliefs that are not unknown to me. It makes me happy to accept something new and believe in myself when it inspires positivity in those who believe.

My desire for this year is about the most valuable thing; to have the willpower to achieve my greatest desires and destiny. Luck and prosperity happen when I fight what's unwanted and unleash the fire within to bring out the best in me.

©️ 2024 Del Cusay

Sunday, January 22, 2023

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨? 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙? 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨?

Our journey to a bigger world begins with the power of self-discovery. As we delve deeper into our own being, we unearth our potential and the profound impact we can have on the world around us. This process also liberates us from the shackles of fear and doubt, empowering us to shape our own destinies. 

It all starts with a simple question: Who are we, and what can we do to bring about positive change? This introspective journey can lead us to discover our unique abilities and how we can make a lasting impact on the lives of others and the communities we are part of. 

As we celebrate the year of the water rabbit, according to the Chinese animal sign, we have a moment of introspection for our greatest rediscovery and restart of our lives. 

The rabbit sign signifies springtime or rebirth, just as we would want to start a new world of living and experience. 

The rabbit is a gentle animal that commands peace and harmony. Like us, we would want to avoid hostility and violence in our thoughts and intentions. 

For me, the Lunar New Year is not just a cultural celebration, but a time for personal growth. It's when I do my yearly introspection, a great opportunity to make changes within ourselves, unblocking the path to peace and prosperity. 


Like many of you, I too am hopeful for a better life in the year of the water rabbit. We all yearn for brighter days and make decisions that we hope will lead us to a more fulfilling path. 

As we look forward to the year ahead, we must also take action to turn our hopes and dreams into reality, even in uncertainty. Our energy and determination will elevate our consciousness and enable us to live the fulfilling life we deserve—living our life ahead of its time. 

©️ 2023 Del Cusay

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Celebrating Chinese New Year 2022: Desire and Destiny

What's your ultimate desire to get fulfilled? Is it wanting to be loved? Is it about maximizing your potential and performance? Is it about discovering your true self? Or is it about living your most extraordinary life?

Our deepest desires always come from our connection to our souls. Our soul's purpose makes us feel more alive, and we want to live what we're destined to be. To be who we are is when we ask the fundamentals of "Who am I?" and "What's my heart's desire?" 

As we celebrate the Chinese New Year 2022, we also welcome the deepest desires of our hearts. When we have an open heart, we tend to be more loving, caring, compassionate, and altruistic, giving even a little of what we have and sharing the abundance we've received.

That's the critical message for this year's welcome of the Year of the Tiger. It's not only about being fierce and strong like a tiger but also about the soft quality of being dependable and altruistic. The transformative power of the Year of the Tiger fills us with hope and optimism. 

As I celebrate the Chinese New Year each year, I spend some quiet time contemplating and reflecting on my soulful desires and destiny. This introspective process of reflection triggers some actions to fulfill my aspirations, making me feel contemplative and introspective.

In this year of the Water Tiger, everything might still be uncertain. But in this world of uncertainty, we can create our desired path and destined future. That's one thing we can be sure about. 

We create our world and live it with our rules and policy. We make a bigger world where we can set our intentions and fulfill our missions. By setting intentions for personal growth, we can shape our ultimate destiny and desire a living legacy. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay