As I was perusing information on Leap Year, I came across some really interesting tidbits of information about this extra calendar day.
Leap Day is in February because February used to be the last month of the year.
According to an old 5th century Irish legend, St. Bridget petitioned St. Patrick to allow women to propose to men every four years. Thus balancing the traditional roles of men and women much like Leap Day balances the traditional calendar year.
In America we have Sadie Hawkins day dances where the girl asks the guy to be her date, and it is generally celebrated in Leap Year.
In Scotland it is considered bad luck to be born on Leap Day. 1288 Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose to men during Leap Year. Any man who declined had to pay a fine, which could be anything from a kiss to a new silk dress.
In Denmark the old Leap Year tradition goes, if the woman proposes and the gent declines he owes her twelve pairs of gloves. One pair for each month to hide the fact she is not wearing an engagement ring.
Greece considers it unlucky to marry in a Leap Year, and especially on Leap Day.
The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies is an organization for persons born on Leap Day.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, there is a family who produced three consecutive generations born on February 29 and there are different records of children in the same families all born on February 29th..
As a writer, I can see many, many story ideas embedded in these fun facts. I personally don’t know anyone born on February 29th. I have a friend whose husband and their first daughter were both born on Valentine's Day.
10 comments:
It's interesting how all the leap year ideas had to do with women having a chance to speak up and exert their interests.
I do know someone born on Feb. 29th. She was a foster daughter of my grandmother who came into her home at age seven. When she was younger and into middle-grade she hid the fact she was born on the 29th because kids would tease her about her "real" age. It's tough being a 14 year old and people figuring out your "real" age is 2-1/2.
However, somewhere around 16 she took it on as a badge of honor--something that made her unique and interesting. She is turning 50 this year and she still uses it as a conversation opener when meeting someone she doesn't know.
Always interesting to learn about traditions. And I do not know anyone born on Leap Day.
Interesting post, Diana! You are so right about the story ideas...
Lots of interesting tidbits there. I wonder if weddings in Greece are really fewer this year.
I don't know anyone born on Leap Day, but my brother and Son2 share the same birthday.
Thanks for sharing your story about your Grandmother, Maggie.
thanks for stopping by Judith and Sarah.
Luanna, that is interesting about your brother and son2 being born on the same day!
I had a friend many years ago, and her husband was born on Valentine's Day and their first daughter was too!
Enjoyed your fun facts. It is always nice to know where an idea that is celebrated world wide came from. Thanks Diana. Have a wonderful March.
Thanks Louise, talk to you soon!
Loved this post, Diana. Always fun to see traditions of other countries. My ex-husband and his sister were born on the same day a year apart. And they were both adopted, so not born into same family, but adopted into same family.
Thanks for stopping by Deb.! Very interesting about. your ex!
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