8 considered lucky in China

When the Olympics' opening ceremony begins tonight in Beijing, it will be 8:08 p.m. on the eighth day of the eighth month in 2008. It's all about the power of 8, a very lucky number in China.

By Seattle Times staff

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When the Olympics' opening ceremony begins tonight in Beijing, it will be 8:08 p.m. on the eighth day of the eighth month in 2008.

It's all about the power of 8, a very lucky number in China.

The date full of eights is moving several thousand couples in Beijing to get married today — and elsewhere around the world.

Eight is pronounced "ba" in Mandarin, which is close to "fa," the word for prosperity, money and status. Turn the number eight on its side, and it's the symbol for infinity.

Sichuan Airlines paid $280,000 for the rights to the telephone number 8888-8888. A man in Hangzhou has been widely reported for his offer to sell his car's license plate A88888 for $160,000.

Staying on the eighth floor of a hotel in China? Might cost you extra for the good fortune.

Even American swimmer Michael Phelps is getting into the act. He hopes to win eight gold medals, beating Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals in 1972.

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