BEIJING — For more than a year, Zhao Gang and Liu Rui had hoped to get married at 8:08 a.m. on China’s auspicious triple-eight date Friday. Problem was, so did more than 16,000 other Beijing couples.
The couple ended up having to settle for a slot later in the day, but that didn’t diminish their joy.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Zhao, 30, after he and his bride received their marriage certificate at the Chaoyang District registry office in eastern Beijing.
The couple, who wore simple silver wedding bands, handed out red boxes of candy to well-wishers and office workers. A photographer snapped away as the couple posed, proudly holding up their certificates on which “8-8-08” was printed.
The number eight has long been considered fortuitous in China, and after Beijing organizers chose Aug. 8 as the day for the Olympics to begin, many couples found an extra reason to get married Friday.
Zhao, an accountant, and his 29-year-old bride, who works at an international trading firm, picked the date last year.
“We cannot think of a better day to celebrate the beginning of a happy new family and the happiest moment for our country — these two things should go hand in hand,” Zhao said.
He said he was planning to watch Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony at his family’s home with his new wife.
For locals, the number eight, “ba,” rhymes with “fa,” which means prosperity and wealth. Chinese favor the number for marriage dates, giving birth, a home address and telephone numbers. The opening ceremonies began at 8 p.m. on 8-8-08.
The couple had initially planned to wed at 8:08 a.m. but had to settle for an afternoon slot at the office where dozens of other beaming newlyweds were posing for photographs with friends, family and other well-wishers.
State media reported that 16,400 couples registered for marriage certificates in Beijing on Friday, nearly four times as many as on the same date last year. Offices began processing wedding certificates at midnight Thursday to meet the demand.
Chinese couples traditionally obtain marriage certificates at their district registry office prior to holding a lavish wedding ceremony and banquet with family and friends. They are considered legally married as of the certificate’s date.
Zhao said the couple had yet to choose a date for the actual wedding, which they were planning to hold next year.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
