"090909 is obviously a unique date and we are only left with just three more similarly 'unique' days: 101010, 111111 and 121212."
In about three months' time, Nov 11 2011 or the "111111" day, will be here. This time, I shall write about it ahead of time.
November 11 is the 315th day of the year. Just like any other day, it is one of the 365 days (366 for leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. However, in 2011, the day will make a never-to-be-repeated date combo of 11-11-11.
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| Planning to tie the knot on 11-11-11? [Pic] |
Many people would have found the date special and have made plans months ahead to spend the day in a memorable way. Among other things, I expect many couples to tie knots on 11-11-11. Well, if that is your plan as well, you have 10 weeks to file your application for marriage at the Registry of Marriages (ROM) ie. Aug 11 to Oct 20 2011.
If you are one of those who are fascinated by the number combo, I have some fascinating facts (and fiction) to share with you.
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| Make a wish at time 11:11 and see your wish come true? [Pic] |
Time 11:11
When it comes to time, the number 1111 has some strange significance.
Some people believe that if they make a wish each time they see 11:11 on the clock, their wish will come true. I am unable to verify the origin of this belief but I do see people playfully make wishes at the 11th minute of the 11th hour.
So, does it mean that on 11-11-11, at 11:11, your biggest wish will come true? At least, someone must have believed it enough to create a Fecebook page with the title 'Nov 11, 2011, at 11:11 your biggest wish will come true.11/11/11 11:11'.
Remembrance Day
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I ended. Today, Nov 11 is marked as the 'Remembrance Day'. It is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries to remember the members of their armed forces who have died on duty in the war.
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| Leonardo DiCaprio: 37th Birthday on 11-11-11 [Pic: Wiki] |
Happy Birthday!
Leonardo DiCaprio, well known for his lead role in Titanic, was born on 11 Nov 1974. He will be celebrating this 37th birthday on 11-11-11.
The 'Palindrome Number' game
When you multiply '11', '111', '1111' and so on, with itself, you will get a palindrome number.
A palindrome number is a number which remains the same when read from left to right or the other way round. '123454321' is an example.
Take out your calculator now and see some creation of palindrome numbers when you use the fascinating 'ones':
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321
"11-11-11", the movie
Well, no prize for getting it right, the movie will be officially released on 11-11-11. The storyline evolves around the '11:11 phenomenon' with strange happenings and constant sightings of the number 11. In the story, '11-11-11' is more than just a date. It is a 'warning'.
The movie is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, the same director for Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV. I do not suppose the movie is meant for the fainthearted. Watch the trailer.
The 'Singles Day'
This day is also known as 'One's Day' or 'Guang Gun Jie' (光棍节) and it is celebrated by singles in China. This pop culture is believed to have originated from the Nanjing University in 1993.
'Guang Gun' (光棍) means 'bachelor' in Chinese. The date 11-11 is chosen because it consists of four 'ones'.
Demographically, China is experiencing one of the worst gender ratio imbalance in the world. It was reported that, the 2010 figures showed a ratio of '119 boys born per 100 girls'. The ratio went as high as 140:100 in some rural areas. At this rate, we can expect more bachelors to be celebrating the 'Singles Day' in the years to come.
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| Pepero Day in Korea is celebrated like Valentine's Day. [Source] |
The 'Pepero Day'
While the bachelors in China celebrate their 'single' status, young people in Korea celebrate the 'Pepero Day' on the same day.
Pepero is a brand of cookie stick dipped in chocolate sauce and it has been a popular snack in Korea since the 1980s. The day is so-called because 11-11 resembles four Pepero sticks.
In Korea, 'Pepero Day' is akin to 'Valentine's Day'. On this day, couples exchange Pepero sticks and other gifts to reaffirm their special relationship. Some would even time their exchange at 11:11. (see article)
There are many other suggestions in the Internet about the meaning of '11-11-11'. Many of them are mysterious and mind-boggling, relating to prophecy, astrology and divinity. Some people question if that day would be the 'end of the world' while some believe it will be the day a 'New World' will be created.
I do not know enough to believe or dismiss any of those suggestions. However, I do believe that the special number combo has triggered many unusual ideas.
11-11-11 is three months away. You have time to decide how you would like to make that day special for you. For me, it is going to be just another 'TGIF' day.
"Men willingly believe what they wish." ~Julius Caesar~
2 comments:
Yet another fine post from Vanilla. Not only is it well written, but it also some intriguing facts. That 11/11/11 movie got me thinking about this trailer site: http://thereisnoturningback.com/ You're gonna need a code (VZ4C, PDLJ, 33SY) to see the movie.
Not sure what it is about, but i totally dig it.
Thanks for all the posts. Keep it real, V!
Dan the abominator
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
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