‘Leap Year’ steeped in traditions, history
For some, the fact that there is an extra day in the year has no significance. For others, Feb. 29, or Leap Day, is a chance to explore history, traditions and celebrations from around the world.
A leap year happens every four years when an extra day is added to February, giving the shortest month of the year 29 days instead of 28.
Today, an easy way to explain the reason for the extra 24 hours is that it keeps the calendar year in line with the solar year. It takes the Earth approximately 365.25 days to orbit the sun, so every four years a day is added to make up for the partial day.
The origin of leap years began in 46 BC when Julius Cesar reformed the Roman calendar. Before that date, the calendar was 10 days shorter than the calendar is now and the change was intended to keep the year in line with the solar year and the changing of seasons.
It isn’t all science all the time though, leap years have interesting traditions … and superstitions, all over the world. Here are a few that are widely known.
Women can propose to men on Feb. 29
Yes, the idea that only men can propose to women is antiquated, but it is still practiced by some. The folklore says that the leap day tradition of women proposing to men began in Ireland when Saint Brigid of Kildare told Saint Patrick that women had to wait too long for proposals, so he declared that one day a year women could propose to men.
Women must wear a red petticoat when proposing on leap days
The tradition of women proposing to men spread to Scotland, and it was there that the dress code was added. In Scotland, if a lady wanted to propose, she had to wear a red petticoat for the occasion. This was thought to catch the attention of the man in question.
Men may have to pay a fine for rejecting a proposal
Of course, men don’t have to say yes to a leap day proposal, but it might cost them. This is why leap day is also known as “bachelor’s day” in some places. Most European countries the gift consists of 12 pairs of gloves. The premise of the gift is for the lady to cover her ringless fingers with the gloves.
It is also said that a silk gown or money is a reasonable gift and intended to soften the blow of the refusal. Sometimes it was simply the fabric to make a skirt.
Decorate a birch tree with ribbons
In Germany, there is a May Day tradition where a man dresses up a birch tree with paper ribbons and leaves it outside the home of the girl he fancies. This tradition is reversed on leap days and the ladies have their chance.
Read the ‘La Bougie Du Sapeur
Once every four years, in France, a newspaper is published called the La Bougie Du Sapeur. The newspaper has been publishing since 1980 and on publication day, typically outsells the national newspapers.
Special meals for the elderly
A leap year isn’t always considered a good thing. In Taiwan, it is considered bad luck for the elderly. So the tradition is that married daughters must return home to cook pig trotters for their parents. This particular meal is said to bring good fortune and longevity.
Don’t get married in a leap year
In Greece, it is considered unlucky to marry during a leap year. It is said that if you do, you are more likely to divorce. Even worse, if you divorce during a leap year, you will never find happiness for the rest of your life.
'Leapers' visit the leap year 'Capital of the World'
Anthony, N.M., has declared itself the leap year Capital of the World and holds a festival for “leapers” — those born on Feb. 29 every leap year. If you have a leap day birthday and want to celebrate with other leapers from around the world, then Anthony is the place to be.
No matter where you are in the world, these traditions and superstitions have made their way into many countries and cultures, some are still practiced or believed today.