Leap year proposal on the cards?

Tradition has it that us ladies only get one chance every 4 years to propose to the love of our lives if we want to! 2012 is one of those years!

I find the tradition interesting, especially as we now live in an age where women and men are predominantly seen as equals, so why is it that women don’t propose more often? Perhaps despite wanting to be ‘equals’ we secretly enjoy the chivalry and tradition of being proposed too?

So why is it that the 29th February is seen as the date for women to propose?

It is believed the tradition started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. Also, according to English law, February 29th was ignored and had no legal status, therefore traditions would also have no status on that day. Hence the tradition of only the man being able to propose was temporarily ‘removed’. Some also believed that since the leap year day existed to solve a calendar problem, it could also be used to fix an old and unjust custom that only let men propose.

Tradition also states that any man who declined a proposal in a leap year must pay a fine, such as a kiss or payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves!

So how many of us ladies will be proposing on the 29th February this year? Or doesn’t the leap year tradition have any bearing on whether you will propose or not?

Happy Valentine’s Day! Perhaps the love of your life will beat you to it today!?

x

Photo credit: Juliet McKee Photography