MCI wants to remind everyone that it’s a leap year’s day on the 29th February. Not only does a leap year mean lots of sporting excitement with the Olympics (this year to be held in Paris) but lots of leap year day traditions around the world. In the UK, the traditions seem to focus around women proposing to men. Although in modern times, women propose to their partners throughout the year, this tradition dates back to the 5th century when it would have been shocking for women to propose.
In Scotland, the home of MCI, Queen Margaret made it law in 1288 that women had to wear a red petticoat when proposing. Why? we do not know. In any event, if the proposal was turned down by the man, the man had to make compensation by way of money, a kiss or a gift of a silk dress or gloves.
In Ireland too, a refusal was compensated for by a gift which could include a fur coat and the man may have to juggle on Easter Sunday. We joke not!
In Scandinavia, the traditions are similar. In Finland, compensation took the form of fabric for a shirt. Denmark’s tradition was to compensate the woman with twelve pairs of gloves to hide her ringless finger.
In Greece, getting married in a leap year is said to be more likely to end in divorce. Those getting a divorce in a leap year are supposed to find happiness.
Moving away from compensation, proposals and marriage, we turn to Europe. In Germany a birch tree with paper ribbons on is placed by women in front of their love’s house on the evening of the Leap year’s day. Usually, it’s the other way around on 1st May.
In France, a special satirical newspaper is published called the ‘La Bougie du Sapeur’. This tradition has been going since the 1980 and is very popular. It even sells more than the other papers on Leap year’s day. You can even get a subscription at €100 for a century. Gaining popularity since 2016, the paper has been also available in Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Canada.
In the US, there were Leap year dances where the women could ask the men to dance. Women were also ‘allowed’ to take leadership roles in local councils on Leap year’s day. Clearly, this is pretty misogynistic and no longer happens as women are involved in politics year round. Indeed, women occupy (or have occupied) presidential positions around the world. How times change!
Onward to Taiwan, married daughters return to their parent’s house in leap year’s day to cook pigs’ trotters for them in order to bring them good fortune and a long life. Some cook the dish for their parents for a whole month.
Of course, many of these traditions have become largely obsolete as women’s roles in relationships have become more equal over time.
Whatever the tradition or culture, it’s clear that people have believed that there is something special about Leap year’s day.
Have a good week everyone!