Couples are choosing this day to get married, expecting parents are hoping their babies will be born and businesspeople are launching their projects on this particular day.

This year, the lucky numbers are reaching new heights, as some say nine is the “peak of everything”.

“Nine is the highest single digit number and thus represents the pinnacle of life,” said feng shui master Jonathan Chen.

Believers in numerology say nine represents completion and satisfaction, before the count rolls back to one and zero to make up the next number.

But be wary, says Chen: “Not all people are suited for it. Those who are not strong enough for it can
instead experience a downfall which will require a lot of energy to reverse.”

This is perhaps why in ancient China, only the emperor was deemed suited for the triple nine.

In Chinese, the pronunciation of “nine” is similar to that of the word for “everlasting”. Thus, many have high hopes that whatever they embark upon on this day — be it marriage, parenthood or a business deal — will be long lasting.

Because of that belief (or perhaps because it is easier to remember the important date), couples book it well in advance, and for a price.

“Our function rooms are fully booked months in advance for this day,” said Hotel Mulia assistant director of communications Adeza Hamzah, adding that the South Jakarta hotel has 20 halls available for functions.

“It’s just like a unique cell phone number. People are willing to pay a special price for it,” Adeza said.

Similarly, the Shangri-La Hotel in Central Jakarta also had numerous couples fighting to reserve a hall on that date.

“It’s first come, first serve,” Shangri-La hotel director of communications Ratna Sjamsiar
Idris said.

There’ll be plenty of commercial activity across the city on this special day too.

Property developer Agung Podomoro chose to launch its newest mall in West Jakarta on the triple nine date. “We hope that on 09-09-09, people can enjoy something new,” said the company’s director for commercial retail and shopping center Very Y. Setiady.

Hours away from the capital, in Makassar, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono — whose 60th birthday falls on Sept. 9 — is scheduled to open the Trans Studio, an amusement park dubbed “Indonesia’s Disneyland”.

But there is disappointment for those who miss out.

“My first child was scheduled to be born on Sept. 9. But Louis was born four days early,” said George Bender, who had been excited at the idea that his child would have a special birthday date. “We couldn’t force it if it would come at a [health] risk. “It’s simply because it’s unique and will be easy to remember,” he added.

Reasons for anticipating this day vary from George’s — it’s simply unique — to hard-core numerology believers. Since the start of civilization, human cultures have found special meanings in numbers. And certain combinations of numbers such as 999 are said to have a certain positive energy.

But those who care nothing for numbers might be pleased to learn that something else special happening on 09-09-09: The Beatles’ digitally remastered album.

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