Couples tying the knot in Calgary on Friday are joining thousands of people around the world looking forward to the good fortune promised by the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008.

The number eight, which sounds like wealth and prosperity in some Chinese dialects, symbolizes good luck and fortune in the Chinese culture.

Candice Arboleda and Sean Naylen are getting married on Aug. 8. (Mike Moynihan/CBC)

A series of eights is particularly auspicious, which is why so many couples are getting married on Friday. Sean Naylen and Candice Arboleda, who are not Chinese, felt they were destined to tie the knot on 08-08-08.

"We got engaged in Hong Kong, and because of that felt that it was the right date to choose," Naylen said. "It just felt like the right day."

He added: "I can't say I'm superstitious but it sure can't hurt."

Terry Lam, who runs the Harbour City restaurant in Calgary's Chinatown, is catering a wedding for 280 people on Friday.

"Is kind of a special day for all the Chinese, because it's triple-eight. And Chinese people, they really, really love the number eight," he said. Lam said his business's phone number, 269-8888, is one of the reasons for its success.

A Calgary registry sets aside licence plates for customers who request lucky eights. (Mike Moynihan/CBC)

A northwest Calgary registry even sets aside licence plates with lucky eights in them for Chinese customers.

"Two-two-eight is easy to get rich; 128 is for sure you will get rich," said Natalie Chan from the North Hill Registry Express. "But don't give them five. Five [means] no. So if you get a five that goes with an eight, that means no luck."

Naylen, who lived in Asia for five years, says the triple-eight wedding date won't just be lucky: "It also makes it very easy for me to remember the anniversary at some point."

The Beijing Olympics will be kicking off at 8:08 p.m. on Aug. 8.