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Sequence of events: 1. Countdown ---- 2:45 An ancient Chinese sundial emits a time flame and lights up 2,008 Fou drums. The countdown begins... (Fou (缶) is an ancient Chinese ceremonial percussion instrument derived from the wine container made of clay or bronze. Its origin dates back to 4,000 years ago.) 2. Welcome Ceremony ----- 7:32 The 2,008 percussionists rhythmically beat the fou and chant with their arms outstretched: “Friends have come from afar, how happy we are!” This famous saying comes from The Analects of Confucius written 2,500 years ago. 3. Footprints of History ----- 11:11 A trail of 29 fireworks, in the shape of footprints, are let off marching along the Beijing's ancient city axis into the Bird’s Nest, each represents one of the 29 Olympiads. 4. Dream Rings ------ 12:31 The last footprint transforms into star rain and forms glittering olympic rings. Graceful Flying Apsarases, the mythical goddesses, lift star rings into the night sky. 5. National Flag-raising Ceremony ----- 15:17 Songs: 1) Ode to the Motherland 2) Chinese National Anthem: March of the Volunteers 6. Art Performance: 1) Scroll Painting ------ 19:19 A Chinese scroll unfolds in the center of the stage. At its center is a piece of white paper (one of four great Chinese inventions). The images of rock paintings, porcelains and bronze wares flowing on the scroll represent the origin of Chinese civilization. The dancers draw images by using their bodies as brushes, representing the Chinese Ink-wash painting. The music comes from a instrument called Guqin, which is also praised as "the father of Chinese music" or "the instrument of the sages". 2) Chinese Writing & Confucius' Philosophy ---- 25:05 Confucius' disciples lustily chant famous sayings from The Analects of Confucius: “Within the four seas, all men are brothers..." The movable type printing blocks (one of 4 great Chinese inventions) form 3 different calligraphy styles of Chinese character ”和 (Harmony)" in historical sequence. The segment demonstrates the evolutionary process of Chinese characters, and conveys the most ancient humanistic philosophy - "Harmony is most precious.".. 3) Opera ----- 32:06 The vast land of China has given births to hundreds of types of traditional operas, of which the Beijing (Peking) opera is praised as the quintessence of Chinese culture. In this segment, four operatic puppets and 800 opera performers depict a festive sense of triumphant return... 4) Silk Road ----- 34:29 The paper suspended in the air changes dramatically into the boundless desert, on which is a beautiful Dunhuang dancer. On the scroll is the depiction of Silk Road from ancient Chinese capital Chang'an (Xi'an) to western regions. Two phalanxes of oarsmen with huge oars act as undaunted seafarers riding the waves of the tumultuous sea, guided by a person who is holding a magnetic compass (one of four great Chinese inventions). The segment represents Chinese navigator Zheng He's voyages on the Maritime Silk Road during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). 5) Ritual and Music ----- 41:01 Accompanied by an ancient poem "Spring River Flower Moon Night" sung by Kunqu opera performers, the scroll expands and shows several China's best classic paintings from Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The paintings epitomised the life of royal families and common people in the golden era of Chinese history. 6) Starlight ----- 46:17 The ink-wash painting of old days has given way to the colorful modern era. Accompanied by a dreamy piano music played by Lang Lang and Li Muzi, The scroll emits bright starlight, which then arrange in the shape of the Dove of Peace... 7) Nature ------ 53:33 A Tai-chi performance by 2,008 masters shows the fluid movements achieved when in harmony with nature. A short play is shown with schoolchildren drawing and coloring on the paper scroll and singing the poetry. The segment conveys the idea of “Green Olympics"... 8) Dream ----- 1:01:13 In the vast universe with bright starlight, a dreamy blue planet rises gradually. She is our common home... 7. Theme Song: You and Me ------ 1:04:18 (Singer: Liu Huan & Sarah Brightman) 8. Parade of Nations ----- 1:10:29 (The teams paraded by stroke order of the first character of their respective countries' names in Simplified Chinese.) 9. Speeches by Presidents ------- 3:26:00 Liu Qi, the head of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee. Count Rogge, the President of the IOC. 10. Olympic Flag-raising Ceremony ------ 3:38:11 11. Olympic Oath ------- 3:49:29 Chinese table tennis champion Zhang Yining and arbiter Huang Liping took the Olympic oath, representing athletes and officials respectively. 12. Release of Doves of Peace ------ 3:52:22 Song: The Sky (Singer: Tan Jing) 13. Torch-lighting ------- 3:55:00 The Olympic torch was relayed around the stadium by seven athletes, and was finally passed on to Li Ning, the former gymnast champion in 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.