The New Year will not only be the beginning of a new decade, but also a leap year! Check out our selection of some of the most interesting customs associated with Leap Year.
Since the leap year only happens every four years and is therefore something special, it is naturally associated with quite a few traditions and superstitions. The most well-known is certainly the custom that women can propose to their chosen ones on February 29, but there are quite a few others.
Women can propose to their chosen ones
According to Irish legend, St. Brigita agreed with St. Patrick, that women are also allowed to propose to their partners, but only every four years. This is supposed to establish a better balance between traditionally male and traditionally female roles, just as February 29 establishes it in the calendar's counting of days.
12 pairs of proposal rejection gloves
If you are lucky enough to be proposed to by your better half on Leap Day, but you refuse the proposal, according to Danish tradition, you should quickly go to the store and buy 12 pairs of gloves to console your chosen one. With this, the unsuspecting fiancee is supposed to cover her hand without an engagement ring and avoid shame. In the Middle Ages, this was even considered a law, but there are various variations of this custom - e.g. in Finland the man has to pay a fine or buy material for a skirt, while in Ireland the chosen one has to buy a silk dress or a fur coat.
The misfortune of life
In Scotland there used to be a belief that it was bad luck to be born on the 29th of February, and the day was often compared to Friday the 13th.
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A leap year is a bad year
According to the Italian river "Anno bisesto, anno funesto", which means: "A leap year is a gloomy year", Italians avoid planning important events such as weddings this year. Another Italian proverb may be related to this - "Anno bisesto tutte le donne senza sesto", which means: "On a leap year, all women are unpredictable".
Similarly, in Greece, it is believed that marrying on a leap year will bring bad luck to couples. It is also not a good year to break up if you want to find love again.
A bad year for livestock
Also in Scotland, they believe that a leap year is not a good year, especially for livestock, which is why they have a proverb "Leap year was ne'er a good sheep year", which could be translated into "Leap year is not a good year for sheep".
The year for the birth of whales
Another animal-related superstition is the belief of the Italians that the leap year is the year of whales, as they are said to be able to give birth only at this time.
Leap year brings bad weather
Even in Russia, they are not too keen on the leap year, as it is said to bring bad weather and also increase the risk of death.
Warding away death with pig's hooves
In Taiwan, it is believed that there is a higher chance of a parent dying on a leap year. To avoid this, the married daughter must return home in February and must bring noodles with pig's hooves.
Plant a tree for your crush
In the countryside of southern Germany, on the night of May 1, according to tradition, boys plant hawthorn in the garden for their crushes; on a leap year, the roles are reversed and it becomes the girls' job.
