Every four years, there is a leap year, which contains 366 days instead of the typical 365. However, did you know that there are also a few myths associated with this year?
To correspond with astronomical seasons and Earth’s orbit around the sun, a leap day is added to the calendar. In the absence of the extra day in February, the seasons and the calendar would progressively diverge.
Since the sun’s orbit takes about 365.25 days, the extra.25 generates a leap year every four years, allowing the calendar to coincide with the solar year.
The 365-day Egyptian year was corrected by Julius Caesar, the Father of Leap Year, in 45 BC. Without this technique, the present calendar would be off by 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds annually.
Nonetheless, a lot of myths have been connected to leap year and leap day—the extra day that is added to the calendar on February 29—by individuals.
Years of misfortune
The most well-known misconception concerning leap years is that they are unlucky.
Italian proverbs encourage women to postpone making important life decisions until after their leap year has ended, as they may cause them to become unpredictable.
Two major occurrences that occurred during the leap years were the burning of ancient Rome in AD 64 and the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, albeit there is no evidence to corroborate this notion.
Furthermore, as 2020 was the last leap year, it is possible to argue that this myth is accurate, albeit this has not been demonstrated.
Not a lucky birthday
4.8 million people worldwide claim to have been born on a leap day, despite the fact that the likelihood of being a leapling—those born on a leap day—is 1/1461. Are they all unfortunate, though?
Depending on where they reside, as leaplings were said to have a year of “untold suffering” in Scottish tradition.
For persons born on Leap Day, the entire year is generally seen as unlucky in German and Greek culture.
But leaplings are cherished in the United States, and in Anthony, Texas, where a four-day festival is conducted in their honor throughout the year, they will undoubtedly be leaping for delight.
The one day when women are allowed to propose
Irish tradition gives rise to the notion that Leap Day is the one (and only!) time when women can ask their significant others to marry them against all odds.
The Irish patron saint, St. Patrick, is said to have granted women’s right to propose to an Irish nun named St. Brigid. Finally, St. Patrick gave his assent—but only on February 29th, which happens only once every four years.
Equality has come a long way over the years as many people now believe that the tradition is outdated and that anyone should be able to propose on any day, regardless of gender.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.