Why the first day of the Olympics is lucky for us

12:40pm Friday 8th August 2008

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ACCORDING to Chinese tradition today really could be your lucky day.

Today’s date, 08/08/08, is important in Chinese culture as the number eight is thought to bring good luck, confidence and, more importantly, lots and lots of money.

Irene Bartholomew of the Worcester Chinese Association said the number eight is thought to be lucky because its pronunciation in Cantonese is the same as the pronunciation for the word money. The number four, on the other hand, is considered extremely unlucky because it is pronounced the same as the Cantonese word for death.

These beliefs have led to addresses, telephone numbers and number plates which contain the number eight being sold for a premium to Chinese people looking to cash in on their luck.

Two Worcester residents, Edward Harris and Joan Hill, who today celebrate their eighth and 88th birthdays respectively, would certainly seem to have more than their fair share of good luck and prosperity.

Edward’s mum Alex and dad Stuart said they realised the significance of his birthday when he was born. Mrs Harris, of Blagdon Close, St Peter’s, said: “We have been counting down to it. We are quite excited.”

Mrs Harris said Edward, a Whittington CE Primary School pupil, will be celebrating his big day with a bowling party at Bowl Xtreme, off Droitwich Road, Worcester, with friends.

“I think they all think it’s quite good, cool, and something different,” she said.

“Edward’s quite proud of it, I think. He’s already said the next one will be when he’s 88.”

Mrs Harris said she would be making him a number eight-shaped cake and blowing up lots of balloons with number eight on them.

Meanwhile, Joan Hill celebrates her 88th birthday.

But her connection with the number eight does not stop there as, incredibly, she was born at 8.08am.

The birthday girl, of Main Road, Kempsey, near Worcester, plans to spend the day celebrating with her huge family, which includes her five children, 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchild-ren, and her one-year-old great-great-grandson Harley.

Mrs Hill said: “There are so many of us it should be a great day. My family mean everything to me. They are all I want.”

One of Mrs Hill’s grandchildren Adrien Mason, 34, of Colin Road, Worcester, said they were planning to give her presents and buy her a cake but joked: “We’re not sure we can afford all the candles!”

Edward and Mrs Hill will be joined in their celebrations by Chinese people across Worcestershire as they come together to celebrate the start of the Beijing Olympics.

Frankie Tsang, chairman of the Worcester Chinese Association, owns the Four Seasons Chinese restaurants in Lowesmoor, Worcester, and Powick, and three Chinese takeaways in Worcester. He said: “I will be glued to the television set as it is the first time in Chinese history that we have had the Games. We are going to have a celebration with our staff. It is a day we will remember for the rest of our lives. We want to see China overtake Russia and America in the medals table.”

Ms Bartholomew of the Worcester Chinese Association plans to spend the evening celebrating with Chinese exchange students at the University of Worcester.

She said: “The Olympics are very important to Chinese people. For many people in the West, China is a mystery so the Games are an opportunity to improve communication and exchange cultures.”

China has received fierce international criticism in recent years for its human rights record and its treatment of the Tibetan people but Ms Bartholomew sees the Games as a chance to show China in a more positive light.

“Many Chinese think the Western world only sees one side of the story. The Olympics are an opportunity for the world to really see China.”