The Chinese Hope For Luck On This 8-08-08

BEIJING  —  Friday 8-8-08 is considered a very lucky day by the Chinese.

The word for the number eight in Chinese sounds like the word for prosperity and wealth.

Chinese favor the number for marriage dates, giving birth, a home address and telephone numbers.

The opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics began at 8:08 p.m., local time Friday.

State media reported that 16,400 couples registered for marriage certificates in Beijing Friday, nearly four times as many as on the same date in 2007.

One new groom calls it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”