If you get a proposal of marriage today, it could be a good or bad thing. Looking back at the culture of Leap Year, it has been the traditional time that women can propose marriage. In times past, women were only allowed to pop the question on one day every four years. That day was February 29th.
The first documentation of this practice dates back to 1288, when Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of their choice in that year. They also made it law that any man who declined a proposal in a leap year must pay a fine. The fine could range from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves. Today, it might mean that you have to cough up a Corvette.
There is a Greek superstition that claims couples have bad luck if they marry during a leap year. Apparently one in five engaged couples in Greece will avoid planning their wedding during a leap year.
I'm not Greek, but my wife and I were married during a leap year. I don't think that has anything to do with the ups and downs of our marriage but these superstitions no doubt have a basis.
On this leap day, I'm grateful that:
- It's a Friday which means the weekend is almost here
- I'm not superstitious about dates, black cats, ladders or other things
- I don't foresee any marriage proposals on the horizon
- I'm practicing Easy Does It more and more
- I'm more rested today than yesterday
The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses. Sir Francis Bacon
I have never been superstitious either.
ReplyDeleteComing by to say HI!
I'm not superstitious either. But I drop by to read you every day (just in case).
ReplyDeleteI was wondering who I could propose to today, but no one popped up. Oh well. Another four years single. I think I can handle it.
ReplyDeletei'm superstitious. not to the extreme, but it's definately there... but then again, i only believe my own superstitions, those i grew up with. makes it a bit easier... have a wonderful weekend!
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