Chinese going 08.08.08 crazy
People in China are getting very eight-cited, not only does the Beijing 2008 Olympic games start today but it is also 'triple 8' day, the luckiest day for 100 years.
In chinese culture the number eight is seen as lucky making the date 08/08/08 the ideal day to do something special.
As a result over 16,000 couples are planning on getting married, many times the number who normally tie the knot even on a busy day. Some marriage bureaus are even holding 25 times the normal ceremonies.
But it is not just weddings, thousands of women are also hoping to give birth today, with with expectant mothers crossing their fingers and legs in hope.
Hundreds have booked in for a Caesarean section to ensure their child a luck birthday.
And there is likely to be a common name amongst the children born today - many are due to be named Olympics.
For the Chinese, eight in Mandarin is 'ba', which sounds like 'fa' or prosperity.
