A sign in Chinatown, San Francisco.
In Chinese numerology, 8 is associated with the symbol meaning infinity (an 8 turned 90 degrees), which is why the Summer Olympics are scheduled to open at 8:08:08 p.m. tonight (8/8/08) in Beijing. In Cantonese, the number 8 八 is considered to invite sudden fortune, prosperity, power, manifestation and material accomplishment. The number 888 is believed to mean three times the prosperity.
The Chinese concept of numerology is based on the I Ching and mystical traditions. The Chinese are very superstitious about numbers and carefully choose telephone numbers, house numbers, car number plates and anything else involving numbers. Much emphasis on number significance is based on the phonetic sound of that number. The numbers 6, 8 and 9 are considered lucky numbers, as their homophones have favourable meanings.
In Cantonese, the yin number 8 reads as ‘fa,’ which means making a great fortune in the near future. Hotels, airlines and businesses have sums of the number 8 in their telephone numbers, as these supposedly carry a good omen or blessing for the ‘prosperity’ of the enterprises. Telecommunication companies and car registration authorities have unwritten rules to charge extra for each number ‘8’ on telephone numbers or license plates.
Of course, whether or not this day heralds a spate of luck for the Olympian athletes in smog-filled Beijing remains to be seen.
One unlucky day
It was one unlucky day when the Bush administration started its deliberate propaganda campaign for war. Read Thomas Frank's catalogue of outrage here.
New evidence suggests George Bush and Dick Cheney ordered the CIA to forge a document claiming Saddam Hussein was trying to build nuclear weapons and working with al-Qaida. Not only immoral, but criminal behaviour from our nation's leaders...
And this news spells out just how incompetent our current leaders are. The Iraqis expect an $80 billion oil surplus - yet we're going bankrupt pouring our resources and money into Iraq??!! It doesn't take a mathematical genuis to determine that something is wrong with this equation.
I love numerology...I find it very interesting. I wish the athletes all the best despite the politics and pollution...may the true spirit of the Olympics endure all the crap that surrounds it now.
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian | 09 August 2008 at 01:16
Ahh yes, the number 8 was a symbol I have grown fond of. Is it good luck?? Hmmm...I don't know, I would like to think it is. My Grandfather went through a lot of trouble turning our house # 9 into an 8. I wonder just how much mail we missed when I was a young girl?! : )
I have known people in my neighborhood that have gone to jail for the rest of their lives for less than the crap Bush has pulled! They need to throw the key away on that guy.
Thanks for the info T.
Posted by: Christina | 08 August 2008 at 23:48
It is so disappointing that any American would support a man like Bush and Cheney and allow the war to continue.
Posted by: Marilyn | 08 August 2008 at 16:07
I love the number 8
We had the same idea.
Good luck and good fortune always be yours.
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jenane | 08 August 2008 at 14:57
and this government impeached a man because of a blue dress.
and this government gave the Man permission to go to war without declaring it. Shame on them.
Posted by: debra | 08 August 2008 at 14:27
whoops- that should say * I saw another STORY. No coffee yet :(
Posted by: My Mélange | 08 August 2008 at 13:19
Yes and the olympics start tonight!!! I also saw another start that thousands of Chinese couples are lining up to get married on this auspicious day.
Posted by: My Mélange | 08 August 2008 at 13:18