The Chinese national flag is hoisted aloft at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

　　The music band wait for the start of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo)　　

　　BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games began in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in northern Beijing at 8 p.m. on Sunday.

　　The gala began amid a display of fireworks that form a huge circle in the sky which symbolizes the complete success of the Beijing Games.

　　In traditional Chinese culture, circle is a symbol of perfection, harmony and renewal.

　　The countdown to the closing ceremony started from the number 29, indicating the 29th Olympic Games.

　　All the audience joined the countdown from 10, while the numbers were displayed by firework explosions in the sky.

　　The Bird's Nest has a seating capacity of 91,000.

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows a view of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo)

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the performance of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday.(Xinhua Photo) 　　

　　The countdown to the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is staged at the National Stadium in Beijing, China on Aug. 24, 2008. The 29th Summer Olympic Games closed here Sunday. (Xinhua Photo) 　　

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the scene of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday.(Xinhua Photo) 　　

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the fireworks of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday.(Xinhua Photo)　　

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the performance of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo) 　　

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the scene of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo)

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the fireworks of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The building on the left is the National Aquatic Center, or the Water Cube. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo)

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the fireworks of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The building on the left is the National Aquatic Center, or the Water Cube. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday. Xinhua Photo)

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the scene of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday.(Xinhua Photo)

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the scene of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday.(Xinhua Photo)

　　Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the scene of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday.(Xinhua Photo)