This year, 2012, is a leap year! There are many interesting traditions and superstitions that occur on leap day, the 29th day of February. Some people believe that leap day is the equivalent of Friday the 13th and that it signifies bad luck. In Greece, a number of people dread the idea of getting married during leap year, and it is considered especially unlucky to get married on leap day.
New grounds, such as Ireland, the idea of marriage on leap day is not considered bad luck. In fact, leap day is a day on which women in Ireland traditionally propose to men. Just as leap year balances our calendar with respect to the Earth’s irregular revolutions around the sun, leap day in Ireland brings some balance to the traditional roles of men and women. If a man refuses a proposal on leap day, he is expected to pay a penalty to the woman, which can range from a gown to money. Most people are taking an interest in the Irish tradition that occurs on leap day.
“I think that tradition is good. It is perfectly normal for women to propose. It’s actually romantic! Women these days are doing many things that men used to do. So proposing is just another step for women,” said Karin Tavarez, 20, Criminal Justice, Newark.
“May you never steal, lie or cheat. But if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows. And if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life. And if you must cheat, then please cheat death, because I couldn’t live a day without you. Cheers!” — Wedding toast from the movie “Leap Year”
Leap year, also known as “intercalary year” is a year that possesses 366 days, countering a common year which consists of 365 days. Leap year was created by Julius Caesar in order to keep our calendar in position with the Earth’s orbit around the sun. If leap year had not been created we would lose about six hours of our calendar at an annual rate. Leap year occurs every four years, with some exceptions. For instance, instead of February having 28 days as usual, this year February will have 29 days, the additional day being “leap day.”
Lee Thomas, 25, Psychology, from Jersey City said, “It’s a new era, if females feel like they should propose then they should. Leap day or any day of the year. I think this tradition is cool.”