On Friday, August 1, 2008, a total eclipse occurred over north western China and was welcomed by the masses against traditional Chinese customs.
Ancient Chinese astronomers considered solar eclipses as dark omens, predicating terrible disasters. However, many Chinese have welcomed the eclipse as a sign of good fortune for the Olympic Games as it occurred eight days before the opening ceremony. Chinese consider eight a lucky number. However, a folk theory has linked the number eight with the dates of a series of disasters that have hit China this year.
The eclipse began in Greenland and swept across the northern hemisphere to Canada, reaching totality over north western China and Siberia. Tens of thousands of people gathered in cities along the path of the eclipse to watch.
