Dec. 12, 2012 is a special day of this century. On this

Dec. 12, 2012 is a special day of this century. On this date, nearly 650 couples decided to spend the rest of their life together. In New York City, more than 643 couples registered their marriage, breaking a 10-year record. In the City Clerk’s Office in Manhattan alone, 345 wedding ceremonies were performed. Love filled the city on this date. Among these joyful celebrations was Chinese couple Zaoxiong Shi and Peiying Qu.

According to Eastern astrology, the number 1 represents “Yang” and the number 2 represents “Yin.” Harmony results when the two combine. Western numerology also has similar interpretations. The date 12-12-12 symbolizes the fusion of male and female energies, making yesterday a great day to get married. Astrology aside, many couples all over the city chose this date because it’s easy to remember and easy to say.

Coming from Hong Kong, 31-year-old Peiying Qu married her soul mate, Zaoxiong Shi, in the presence of her friends and family, who served as the required witnesses. Zaoxing, 38, fell in love with Peiying at first sight. At her wedding, she wore a strapless wedding dress and posed for pictures outside the clerk’s office, attracting the envious eyes of passers-by.

Zaoxiong first learned about Peiying from a picture his colleague had shown him. He knew she was the one the moment he saw the picture and pursued her for three years. They started dating in 2010 and decided to get married two months before 12-12-12.

The couple originally planned to get married in the beginning of next year, after the year of the dragon. However, Peiying’s mother proposed 12-12-12. The couple liked the idea and got married around 2:30 p.m. Afterward, Mrs. Shi, Peiying, and her husband, walked out of the City Clerk’s Office and into the next stage of their lives.

By Huiqi Luo – World Journal
Translated by Paul Fan from Chinese