BEIJING, June 8 -- Shanghai saw thousands of local couples rush to tie the knot Tuesday as the date -- June 6, 2006 -- contained three sixes, believed to be an auspicious day for marriage in Chinese tradition. The number six signifies good luck in China.

    According to the Shanghai Marriage Registry Office, over 1,400 couples registered to marry on June 6 across the city. Only about 200 couples register on an average day.

    Officials at many local marriage registrar offices began work earlier than usual Tuesday morning and even skipped lunch as people lined up in and outside offices all day long.

    Mr. Qi said he arrived at the office right before it opened only to find 108 couples waiting ahead of him. He waited three hours for his marriage certificate.