The Unofficial 2008 Beijing Olympics Blog

Photo: Reuters

More than 1,000 Chinese couples stood in line for hours to get a marriage license that will allow them to be married on August 8th, the opening date for this year’s highly publicized China Olympics. The reason? Well behind the fact that all Chinese citizens feel very honored of hosting the event, the number eight (the competition starts on 08.08.2008) has a very auspicious meaning for people there.

The number is pronounced rd “fa”, which is part of the expression meaning “to get wealthy”. So by marring on that date, many people believe they’ll have a more long and wealthy marriage.

“Chinese people are keen to tie the knot on an auspicious date,” Xinhua news agency added. “The opening date of the Olympics adds new meaning.

“Marriage registration offices in Beijing predict more than 9,000 couples will get married on August 8 this year,” it said.

Add this to the Beijing Olympics baby names and you’ve got yourself one wacky family.

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