window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-GEQWY429QJ');
Culture July 22, 2017
Is it good luck or bad luck?
When it comes to Leap Day traditions, Ireland has one of the most famous customs that was celebrated in movies like the 2010 flick “Leap Year.” Women are encouraged to propose to their boyfriend on Leap Day, Feb. 29, for good luck.
However, Leap Day traditions don’t end with Ireland. So, ENTITY is here to explain how different countries have slightly different takes on this day.
Legend has it, Saint Patrick was responsible for the female empowerment in the fifth century leap year proposal process. Despite historians debunking the timeline behind the Leap Day traditions folklore, they are still celebrated today.
Basically, the folk story goes that the nun Saint Brigid of Kildare asked Saint Patrick to allow women to propose to men because some male suitors were too timid to propose.
Initially, Saint Patrick only slightly caved and let women propose every seven years. But after some convincing on Saint Brigid’s part, he agreed to the leap day rule, allowing women to propose every four years.
But if the man says no to the woman’s proposal on Leap Day, there are some consequences.
As the Irish legend continues, after Saint Patrick granted women the ability to propose once every four years, Saint Brigid immediately got down on one knee and proposed to him.
Sadly, he denied her proposal. However, he did give her a kiss on the cheek and a silk gown. And hence, the next rule of leap year traditions was born: if the man refuses, he has to buy the woman a gift in compensation.
Finland has a similar tradition where the man has to pay a fine if he refuses a marriage proposal on Leap Day. How much is that fine? It’s enough to buy the woman sufficient fabric to make a skirt.
In Denmark, though, if you refuse a proposal you must present the woman with 12 gloves to give her several options to hide her ringless finger.
Moral of the story? If you’re going to break a woman’s heart on Leap Day, at least give her something to walk away from your lame ass in style.
In Scotland, they believe being born on Leap Day is bad luck. This is commonly compared to Friday the 13th, the day you especially want to avoid black cats and walking under ladders.
However, the Scots aren’t the only ones who think Feb. 29 is bad luck.
In Greece, if you get married in a leap year at all, it is considered bad luck. However, they also believe you shouldn’t get divorced either because it will stop you from ever finding happiness again. Rough.
Some cultures, however, believe Leap Day has an enlightening quality. It all comes down to the numbers. In the spiritual community, Feb. 29 breaks down to 11 or (2+9), which is thought to represent spiritual awakening.
February also translates to two, which in numerology has a feminine characteristic and stands for following your soul’s ambitions and desires.
Basically, the thought in spiritual communities is that Feb. 29 offers an ideal time for love, healing and learning.
Whether you choose to follow Leap Day traditions or not, there’s no denying that the history behind Feb. 29 is pretty interesting!