A date with eight

08.08.08, the opening day of Beijing Olympics, has caught the fancy of millions, with thousands of couples set to tie the knot and mothers hoping to give birth to ‘lucky ones’ on the magical day, Davina Raisinghani has more

AS MOST of us are well aware, the Beijing Olympics are officially scheduled to commence on the Aug. 8, 2008 at 8:08 pm, Chinese local time.

These numbers are obviously not a coincidence, but a well-crafted incidence on the part of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

The number ‘eight’ is widely considered “lucky” in China due to its phonetic similarity to the words “prosper” and “wealth” in Chinese, both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects. And therefore, 08/08/08 is considered an extremely auspicious date; for the inauguration of the Beijing Olympics, and for weddings.

The Chinese believe that anything beginning on this date will be laced with good fortune throughout its course.

In fact, the triple ‘eight’ date has attracted almost 15,000 couples, in the Olympic city alone, with intentions of tying the proverbial knot.

Numerous pregnant Chinese women are hoping to give birth on the coming Friday, in hopes of ensuring prosperity and good luck in their children’s lives.

The Chinese favouritism for the “lucky” digit extends to car licence plates and cell phone numbers as well, with combinations bearing the number selling at high prices. In the year 2003, the Sichuan Airlines paid a sum of 2.33 million Yuan (approximately $308,000) for the telephone number 8888-8888.

Though not quite as popular as the 07/07/07 date, the date of the 8th day of the 8th month of the 8th year of the millennium has captivated several American couples, with some to-be spouses going as far as getting married at 8:00 on the day, with eight bridesmaids and offering eightcourse dinners. Obviously, the date has proven largely profitable to business owners.

The fortuitous date also makes it mark on gamblers all over the world, with most categorising it with the attributes of a winning combination for slot machines, and a lucky number for roulette and other betting opportunities.

Numerology also looks upon the number eight favourably, since it symbolises financial prosperity or security.

Several numerologists counsel people to steer clear of conflict or confrontation on this Friday, since they are of the opinion that the argument will progress along a never-ending course, just like the number itself.

However, Indian numerologists are of the belief that the ruling planet of the number eight is Saturn, or “Shani,” often associated with bad luck.

The number ‘eight,’ when turned on its side, becomes the symbol for infinity.

It is also a Fibonacci number, thus giving it mathematical importance, and is the base for the octal system in computers.

Oddly enough, the first set of surviving octuplets was born in the year 1998. Richard Nixon became the first US President to resign on the 8th of August, 1974, following the devastating Watergate Scandal.

With the number having so many connotations, it comes as no surprise that the date 08/08/08 is considered special by many. Numerologists recommend that people light white candles on Friday and contemplate their financial situations.

Eight crazy must-dos on 08.08.08

For those suspicious, intrigued or just up for a laugh City Times has compiled a list of eight wacky things to do from 8.08 am to 8.08 pm to mark this auspicious Friday.

8.08 am: Give your boss eight missed calls.When he/she calls back furious, wish him/her a happy triple eight day.

9.08 am: Get out of bed and show the world your “artistic” flair by dressing in eight different colours.

10.08 am: Hoist a Kuw’8’ti flag, go there or email our neighbours across the water with all the things you ever wanted to know about the country. Surely it’s the luckiest place on earth today.

12.08 pm: Lunch at a restaurant 8 kms from your house. Check out Dubizzle.com to find out what that may be.Who knows where you may end up

4.08 pm: Blow off the official Olympic Opening ceremony and create your own mini Olympics with eight events indoors.

Particular favourites are chopstick javelin or wet paper towel shotput.

6.08 pm: Mix a triple 8 cocktail with eight ingredients and drink it within eight minutes...can you handle eight of them?

7.08 pm: Call the eighth person in your phone book and ask them out.Make sure to arrange to meet on Eighth Street (and if you have had the eight cocktails make sure it’s not an ex).

8.08 pm: Meet said friend and give them eight kisses without explaining then break out a box of After Eights...obviously.

citytime@emirates.net.ae