Famous Chinese basketball player Yao Ming holds the torch during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games torch relay in Beijing, China, Aug. 6, 2008. (Xinhua)

Today is really a special day for Beijing. The torch relay began its final leg from the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, finishing today in the Tiantan Park.

The Olympic flame will travel through Beijing for three days carried by a total of 841 torch bearers. The red, scroll-shaped, torch is the focus of eyes from across the whole country.

The torch designed for the Beijing Olympic Games has a very strong Chinese flavor.The shape of the paper scroll and the lucky clouds graphic, expresses the idea of harmony.

Paper was one of the four great inventions of ancient China that was spread to the rest of the world along the ancient Silk Road. Since the planned torch relay route followed the idea of the Silk Road, the scroll-shaped torch is perfect

The torch is the first in the history of the Olympics to bear the color red, the classic color people associate with China. Carving red lucky clouds on a silver base suggests a combination of ancient China and the modern world.

Lucky clouds, or auspicious clouds, are commonly used in Chinese mythology, with deities often perched on the top. Chinese people expect the auspicious clouds to bring blessings and harmony to the society.