Women can pop the question in a Leap Year

This is just one of many supposed traditions and myths associated with this period. Here are some more. There are many myths, traditions and folklore associated with the Leap Day and Leap Year. Some of which finds mention in literature that dates back centuries. We rummage through the chronicles of the past to find some common practices that have been associated with this period. How traditions took a leap... The Leap Year Day had no recognition in English law (the day was ‘lept over’ and ignored). It was thus assumed that traditions also had no status, as a result women got a chance to break tradition for a day by proposing to men, something that would be frowned upon otherwise. A day no man could say ‘no’ If you flip through classic literature, you may find references to this practice where women had a chance to switch places with a man and propose to the one they desired, taking them off the shelf of spinsterhood permanently. The chances of the man accepting her proposal were believed to be high on February 29, as it was the only day where women were given the right to pop the question and could not be refused. Also, to ensure success, women also were supposed to wear a red petticoat under their dress — and make sure that it is partly visible to the man when they propose. In some places, Leap Day was known as Bachelors’ Day. A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown, money or a kiss, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. While this practice has been attributed to a statute passed by Scottish Parliament in 1288, it was already considered suspect by some of the same Victorian authors who quoted it in their works.2012, a good year for marriage? If couples follow Greek superstition, no one will end up tying the knot this year. As one in five engaged Greek couples apparently avoid getting married in a leap year because they fear it will bring bad luck.Leaplings and the Leap Year connection People born on a February 29, a Leap Day, were referred to as ‘leaplings’ or ‘leapers.’ Apart from the fact that Leaplings have been blessed with the chance to celebrate fewer birthdays than the rest of us, they have also had to deal with being mocked at and have had to break away from people’s perceptions that they would prove to be sick and hard to raise.Nature and the Leap Day connect People believed that the leap year could hamper the growth of crops and livestock. It used to be said that beans and peas planted during a leap year grow the wrong way and, in the words of the Scots, “Leap year was never a good sheep year.” So, without getting ‘sheepish’, take a pick from the traditions that suit you.(Compiled by Melissa D’costa)