In any history book you'll ever lay eyes on, the Chinese are in there, and always a step ahead of the game. When it comes to evolution, the Chinese were eating with utensils while the rest of the world was still using their fingers to chow down. When steel and copper was forged into shields and weapons, the Chinese set fire to arrows and employed the use of gunpowder to make for heated battles.

In a sense, the Chinese were the originators of a lot in the world. Even the Italian staple, pasta, was rumored to come from China. So it stands to reason that China would have played host to the Olympic Games numerous times. Contrary to their legendary status, August, 8, 2008 will be the first time China has hosted the event. The Chinese people place great emphasis on the number 8, and on 8.8.08, at 8:08pm, the summer Olympics will be held in Beijing.

In Chinese culture, this simple numbers holds a great meaning. The Chinese word for 8 (Fat) sounds similar to words for wealth and prosperity, thus the Chinese feel this number to be lucky. On Chinese New Year, it is common for the Chinese people to greet one another with the saying “Fat Choy,” which is wishing someone good fortune and prosperity, more precisely, it means, congratulations and get rich. There were also the Eight Immortals: Chinese deities, the Eight Princes, and Eight Principles of Yong.

The number 8 can also represent either success or failure in Numerology. It is a very strong number for both Karma and ego. The number is dual-acting in this context, and can be honorable or extremely corruptive. A lot of questions surround the actual tie between this date and the summer games. August 1st is the date of the solar eclipse, with a lunar eclipse taking place on the 16th. The 8th, coincidentally, falls directly between.

Many people, including a lot of Chinese, see significance in this fact - a destiny of sorts. Some emphasis is placed on the planetary alignment during this time. Uranus sits in the first house, in opposition to Mars, and will square Pluto. Many ties have been made here with China's governing bodies and its citizens; an attempt to show the world a change on the largest possible stage.

But does it boil down to astrology? What about people who don't subscribe to astrological theories, do the Olympics still have meaning to them? The answer should be yes! China, as troubled as it is, is a great nation that deserves to host the Olympics. Number significance or not, the Olympics are important to Chinese citizens, government, and the views of the rest of the world. In this day and age, it's important for the outside world to see China as hospitable.

Other sources claim that China campaigned to have the Olympics held in July, but the month was full of other international sporting events. Since August was available, the 8th month of the calendar year, it seemed natural to hold the opening ceremony on the 8th day, at 8:08pm. Since 8 is a historically lucky number in Chinese culture, it works out perfectly as a blessing in disguise.

Though China is a predominant figure in world history, this could be one of the single greatest events since the beginning of it all. The Olympics haven't been a popular ratings machine over the past decade or so, but the participants and host country's citizens still carry a great deal of pride. The Olympic Games are synonymous with glory. Long after the Olympics leave China, millions of people will continue to carry that pride along with them.