Can you get married on a leap year? February 29?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Signs are an integral part of our life. People, relying on popular beliefs, determine the course of their lives. Many tales are associated with February 29th. Young girls are interested in whether it is possible to get married in a leap year. The material will tell about the roots of this superstition.

Cassian's negative image

Every fourth year in our calendar is one day longer and is not 365, but 366 days. Catholics on this date honor the memory of Oswald of Worcester. The Orthodox faith celebrates the name day of St. Roman John Cassian. It was a real person who lived in the second half of the 300s. The man is known as a good monk and theologian. History testifies that he was a kind and humble Christian who dedicated his life to the Lord. But in folk tales, he has an ambiguous role.

According to legend, this saint was distinguished from others by his bad temper and disobedience. It is believed that in childhood he was kidnapped by demons and brought up in a lie. In many paintings, a Christian is depicted with demonic, evil features. Many people believe that this character brings devastation and misfortune to the earth. That is why people believe that you can not get married in a leap year, start new business andmove to another house.

Folk myths

One of the legends tells that an angel sinned before God. But the merciful Creator did not punish the saint severely.

One version each? The Creator set a man over the disobedient subject who beat him on the forehead for three years in a row. On the fourth, leap year, the sinner rested. Another belief tells: once Nikola the saint and Cassian met a man whose cart got stuck in a swamp. The first angel undertook to help the poor. But his friend did not want to get his hands dirty. God, having learned about this, punished the unkind saint. Since then, people celebrate his name day every 4 years. Because of Cassian's dislike for people, many are wondering whether to get married on a leap year, look for a new job and mortgage a house.

Another belief says that this saint conscientiously guards the gates of hell. And only once every four years he gets a day off. When the guard relaxes, the apostles guard the entrance.

Another world

Unlike the Slavs, Europe has acquired other traditions. One of the folk signs forbids not only on this day, but also throughout the year to sign important documents and make serious decisions. In Western countries, such a theory had an absolutely logical explanation. The fact is that until the 18th century, February 29 had no legal status. This day didn't actually exist on paper, so final deals were outlawed. To avoid trouble in the future, people tried to avoid paperwork.

If in our open spaces people are wondering if it is possible to get outmarried in a leap year, then in Ireland the attitude to the situation is completely different. For a long time in this country, women had the right to propose a hand and heart to a man on February 29. The guy didn't dare refuse. Anyone who did not agree to the proposal had to pay a fine in the form of a kiss or buying an expensive item for a disappointed bride. In other places, the evil groom gave the offended young lady 12 pairs of silk mittens, dresses or money.

Strong piece

The history of this tradition is very deep. According to legend, St. Bridget agreed with St. Patrick that once every four years a girl has the right to call a man in marriage herself. The entertainer of custom was not satisfied with the fact that the woman had to wait for the first step from the gentleman. Even today in Scotland and Ireland, where this tradition is common, people do not think about whether it is possible to get married on a leap year.

But the young lady who planned the wedding had to wear a red skirt the day before to warn the potential spouse.

The woman who initiated the agreement is a real historical character. Bridget was strong and independent. She defended the rights of the beautiful half of humanity and actively participated in the political and religious life of the country.

The other side of the coin

This tradition became the basis for the wonderful Hollywood melodrama How to Marry in 3 Days. The main character of the film goes to Dublin to propose a hand and heart to her boyfriend. But infairy tale Ireland, she meets a man who really conquers her soul.

In Europe, many couples decide to get married on a leap year. Statistics show that 95% of such original proposals end in agreement.

Unlike our region, where February 29 is considered a day of misfortune, other countries believe that a person who was born on this day will have great luck.

Therefore, everything depends on the worldview and mentality of the people. A person who believes that all days can be divided into good and bad will depend on the calendar. In the case when a person pays less attention to superstitions and signs, her existence will be filled with joy and happiness. Many Slavs should follow the example of the Europeans, for whom February 29 is another reason to have fun.

Year of the Widow

There are many new, unkind signs. For example, a new house should not be mortgaged, since all its inhabitants will be seriously ill. You should not move to another apartment, as failure awaits the owners there. Elderly people are not advised to buy clothes in which they should be put in a coffin. They say that such persons, after purchases, do not live long. Pregnant women should not have their hair cut as the baby may be born sick.

Be wary of those who plan to get married on a leap year. Signs say that a curse falls on a person who decides to take such a step. The family will break up, the newlyweds will cheat on each other. One of the partners may die young, and histhe other half will remain a widow forever.

But none of this gossip has scientific backing.

Church Opinion

But few people know that in our territory there was once a good tradition for a leap year. According to the belief in such a period, the girl herself could choose a young man who would marry her. But the people forgot about this custom.

The Church believes that there is no mysticism in this date. You can get married on any day, if the Sacrament does not contradict church canons. Prejudices are invented by people themselves, and if a couple thinks about whether it is possible to get married on a leap year, and postpones the wedding, most likely, their decision is not yet final. Lovers need time to think. During this period, they will have a chance to test the sincerity of their feelings and intentions.

The negative coloration of the last day of winter, when evil spirits crawl out onto the earth, originates from the pagans. In turn, February 29 for Orthodoxy is an opportunity to honor St. John Cassian the Roman, a good Christian.