OLYMPICS ARE DOOMED WARNS CHINESE NUMEROLOGIST

BEIJING, China, May 22…When Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympics it was seen as an omen of success. Eight is a lucky number in Chinese numerology. The word for eight sounds similar to the word for “wealth” in the Mandarin dialect and “fortune” in the Cantonese. The Mandarin word for “double eights” also resembles the word for “double joy.” According to Wikipedia, the telephone number 8888-8888 was sold for USD$ 270, 723 in Chengdu and a man in Shanghai offered his license plate of A88888 for sale for 1.2 million yuan.To lock in their good fortune Chinese officials scheduled the opening of the Olympics for 8/8/08 at 8:08.08 PM.

But now a Chinese numerologist has come forward to say they were wrong. In a posting on the Internet, the numerologist, who has remained anonymous for fear of prosecution, says that lucky numbers can sometimes be reversed to prophesy bad luck.

The posting, which has been seen by hundred of millions of Web users, cites the disturbing prevalence of eights in natural and social disasters that have plagued China in recent months and says these are clear warnings of failure from the powers that control what the numerologist calls “the mathematics of destiny.”

The first catastrophe was the snowstorm of January 25, (1/25/08), which killed tens of thousands and paralyzed the Chinese economy for weeks. The numerologist translates this as 1+2+5=8.

Next came what the numerologist refers to as the March 14 (3/14) revolt of the “bald Tibetans.” This translates to 3+1+4+=8.

Again, disaster struck on May 12 (5/12) when an 8.0 earthquake struck China killing 50,000. Numerically, this becomes 5+1+2=8. Aware of the numerical significance of eight, Chinese officials revised the magnitude down to 7.9, the numerologist says.

Earthquakes play a crucial role in Chinese history. According to Neil Schmid, professor of Chinese religion at North Carolina State University, the first seismometer was invented in 132 A.D. as a way to “detect tremors that might spell the end of a ruler’s reign.”

An earthquake occurring on an “eight” day might give added weight to the idea that the natural order has been disrupted.

The numerologist concludes that having the Olympics in Beijing has gone against the wishes of the “powers that construct the logic of fate.” And adds: “the powers do not want China to open itself to foreigners.”