Leap Day is February 29, which is an extra day added during a Leap Year—which happens
today and makes the year 366 days long—not 365 days as in a usual year. You probably all know that, but I thought I’d put a quick explanation for anyone (like me) who tends to forget how often Leap Year arrives and disrupts the Gregorian calendar.
Most of you probably know that there is some folklore attached to Leap Year, and I’m going to tell you a little about those traditions, but first I’m going to shout a hearty HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all those who were born on February 29. Being forced to wait four years between birthday cakes would be horrid (just kidding). Still, as an adult you could honesty reduce your age by a lot of years and be telling the truth.
One of the traditions, according to an Irish legend is that women may propose to men on Leap Day. There is an Irish legend that St. Bridget struck a deal with St. Patrick that would permit women the opportunity to propose to men every four years—this change in proposal habits was supposed to balance the change in the calendar. Now
just in case you didn’t know about this proposal thing and you’d like to propose to your man on Leap Day, you need to hurry as Leap Day won’t occur until February 29 2016 (that’s a Monday for those who want to mark their calendar).
Now here’s the part I think is really fun: A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. In European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, there is a tradition that a man must purchase the woman twelve pairs of gloves if he refuses her proposal. The reason for the gloves is so the woman can wear them to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. Can you believe that during the middle ages there were laws governing this tradition? I’m just imagining a lot of men going into hiding on Leap Day.
On the negative side, in Scotland it used to be considered bad luck to be born on Leap Day—rather like Friday the 13th. And in Greece, it is said to be unlucky to marry during Leap Year and especially unlucky to marry on Leap Day.
So, what do you think? Would you, could you, or have you ever entertained the idea of being the one who proposed marriage? What would you think of a book—not a comedy—but a romantic novel, where the woman becomes so frustrated waiting on the man that she proposes marriage? Would you be disappointed? Would you think the marriage doomed to failure if she had to resort to such tactics? I'm curious what you might think of steering away from normal conventions in a romantic novel.
May you find joy as you bask in the love of Jesus. ~Judy
today and makes the year 366 days long—not 365 days as in a usual year. You probably all know that, but I thought I’d put a quick explanation for anyone (like me) who tends to forget how often Leap Year arrives and disrupts the Gregorian calendar.
Most of you probably know that there is some folklore attached to Leap Year, and I’m going to tell you a little about those traditions, but first I’m going to shout a hearty HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all those who were born on February 29. Being forced to wait four years between birthday cakes would be horrid (just kidding). Still, as an adult you could honesty reduce your age by a lot of years and be telling the truth.One of the traditions, according to an Irish legend is that women may propose to men on Leap Day. There is an Irish legend that St. Bridget struck a deal with St. Patrick that would permit women the opportunity to propose to men every four years—this change in proposal habits was supposed to balance the change in the calendar. Now
just in case you didn’t know about this proposal thing and you’d like to propose to your man on Leap Day, you need to hurry as Leap Day won’t occur until February 29 2016 (that’s a Monday for those who want to mark their calendar).Now here’s the part I think is really fun: A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. In European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, there is a tradition that a man must purchase the woman twelve pairs of gloves if he refuses her proposal. The reason for the gloves is so the woman can wear them to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. Can you believe that during the middle ages there were laws governing this tradition? I’m just imagining a lot of men going into hiding on Leap Day.
On the negative side, in Scotland it used to be considered bad luck to be born on Leap Day—rather like Friday the 13th. And in Greece, it is said to be unlucky to marry during Leap Year and especially unlucky to marry on Leap Day.
So, what do you think? Would you, could you, or have you ever entertained the idea of being the one who proposed marriage? What would you think of a book—not a comedy—but a romantic novel, where the woman becomes so frustrated waiting on the man that she proposes marriage? Would you be disappointed? Would you think the marriage doomed to failure if she had to resort to such tactics? I'm curious what you might think of steering away from normal conventions in a romantic novel.
May you find joy as you bask in the love of Jesus. ~Judy
Call me old-fashioned, but leap year or not, I think the man needs to do the proposing. I've read some great novels where the woman ends up doing it, but usually it's on the tip of his tongue. Proposing to him because she's frustrated over waiting on him doesn't seem to bode well for the marriage! LOL
ReplyDeleteThis would seem more like an extra day if it were a holiday!
I tend to agree, Linda. I think it would have to be very unusal circumstances for me to like a woman doing the proposing. Just seems too pushy and agressive. And I'm with you--I think since leap day only comes once every four years the powers that be could at least declare it a holiday!
DeleteI have a 12-year-old leap year baby nephew who is officially "three" today. They were celebrating with copious amounts of ice cream.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting information, Judy, about the reverse proposal thing. I have read a few novels where the heroine proposes but not in this manner. This would make a fun scene though--whether he agreed or not. I can also see an older couple telling their engagement story and the man saying he said yes because he didn't have the money to buy 12 pairs of gloves. I guess I'm a little old fashioned, too, but I like it best when he proposes.
I just can't imagine being born on leap day. Just thinking how young I would be makes me downright giddy. :) I do think for those (like you) who write with humor, there could be a really cute scene of some sort where a girl proposes and it all goes haywire on her.
DeleteFun post, dear Judy! Thanks for sharing these "traditions"--I'd never heard them, and I must admit I still think the man should be the one to propose. However, if you want to write a romance novel in which the woman proposes, I'm sure I'd enjoy it! *grin* ~ My youngest 3 furry babies were born on Leap Day 2008, so today is really their BIRTHday! Sweet Deb Raney had gone through a similar situation (stray Calico picked her home to give birth)so that evening when my son and I arrived home from his tennis practice and found the Calico with her just-born litter (AT my front door!) I e-mailed Deb in tears (the cat with tiny kittens was an amazing sight!). I knew she'd understand and she did (yes, there's just something about the miracle of birth---even in animals!). ~ Thanks again for this post, and now I'd better LEAP off this computer and finish my laundry! Hugs, Patti Jo :)
ReplyDeleteHi Patti Jo,
DeleteHope you gave those kitties a special birthday treat. Hope you were able to leap through that laundry in no time. :)
I enjoyed the little annecdotes Judy, but 12 pairs of gloves is a little too much for my wardrobe.:0)
ReplyDeleteI smiled at the idea of proposing. I did actually propose to Pete this morning (and this was before I had read your post) It was a little different from the proposal you are talking about,but I proposed to my man that he return in one piece to me!
I'm late seeing your post, Rosie, but I'm continuing to pray for Pete as he's going through surgery and the tests! And 12 pairs of gloves is a bit much unless it's the dead of winter and you keep losing them--which is what I tend to do. :)
DeleteJudy, I'd adore reading a book where your heroine proposed! Let's face it: women manage to keep men off balance most of the time. Why not from the very start?
ReplyDeleteTwelve pair of gloves sounds very reasonable to me. Like you, I'd lose several, so I'd opt for six of the dozen pair to be exactly alike. Then I'd be able to find a match for awhile. I often buy two or three pair of the same socks for that very reason. Good thing, too! My puppies tend to er... appropriate them as I do laundry. With sunny weather all the time, we dont' wear gloves in So Calif. Do dogs steal gloves with the same zeal as they swipe socks?
And Rosie, many prayers for Pete AND you. Grace, hope, and healing to you both!
Cathy
Thanks so much for your Prayers Judy. I'm sure it is helping. Pete can manage a smile today:)
ReplyDelete@ Cathy, I so appreciate your Prayers. it has been a worrying time,but hopefully we will have a good news by the end of today(Friday)
ReplyDeleteJudy- I am busy at work on a research paper on the thoughts of women proposing to men. I came across your blog on google, and found this quite interesting. I am so glad I found this. What an interesting tradition. I am taking the side that the world has changed, and the proposal from a woman may not be such a bad thing. This will help me prove my point! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete