"Piggy babies" born on 1st day of Lunar New Year

The first baby in the year of the pig in this city was born at midnight of Saturday in Beijing Maternity Hospital, and a total of 15 babies were born in the early hours of Sunday, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

And in Beijing's Haidian District Women & Children Health Care Hospital, 35 "piggy babies" came to the world between midnight and5 p.m. Sunday, including 18 girls and 17 boys.

The number of babies born in both hospitals is to exceed 1,000 per month, according to their register lists.

The year 2007 is a year of the pig according to Chinese zodiac, which runs 12 animals in a 12-year cycle. Chinese astrology says that babies born in pig years are supposed to be lucky, honest, loyal and hardworking with a prosperous life, which has in a way encouraged couples to have babies this year.

Editor: Cindy