Confucian disciple costume Beijing 2008 Directed by ZHANG Yimou with choreography from ZHANG Jigang, the Opening Ceremony focused on China's greatest achievements over 5,000 years of history. A choir of 3,000 extras dressed as disciples of Confucius chanted extracts from his teachings, the Analects, including: “Isn't it a joy to welcome friends from afar?” and “All those who live in this world can be considered brothers.” Traditionally in China, people were not considered to be morally upright or enlightened unless they had studied the work of the philosopher, the founding father of Chinese thought. A famous saying by Confucius, “Friends have come from afar, how happy we are”, inspired the first segment of the Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremony. Wearers of the costume, which drew on clothing worn during the Han Dynasty, represented the “three thousand disciples” of Confucius (551-479 Before Common Era). World-renowned Chinese film director Zhang Yimou led the creative team in charge of the ceremonies, and the director of costumes was Japanese artist Eiko Ishioka.