In order to make an adjustment to the calendar of the Earth’s rotation around the Sun, every 4 years is a leap year, that is, the month of February, instead of having 28 days, has 29, as will happen in this 2024.
The origin of the leap year dates back several hundred years, so throughout this time, some curiosities, beliefs, superstitions or myths have emerged around it, which to this day, many consider to be real.
Next, we leave you a small list of the most popular myths that exist around leap year.
4 myths that exist about leap year
1) People born on February 29 age more slowly
One of the curiosities about the leap year lies in the people who are born on February 29, because this day only occurs every 4 years. That is why before, several parents whose children were born on that day, decided to register the babies a day later, on March 1.
Likewise, there are many doubts about people who are born on February 29, regarding the day they will celebrate their birthday, whether on March 28 or March 1; This situation leads some to claim that those born on that day will age much more slowly than the rest of the population.
2) February 29 is good luck
In Ireland, on this day, tradition dictates that women are the ones who take the initiative and propose to their partners, something known as Bachelor’s Day.
3) Don’t get married in leap year
In various parts of the world, leap years are synonymous with tragedies and disasters. For example, in Greece, February 29 is similar to what many believe about Friday the 13th; Likewise, in that country it is said that getting married in a leap year will bring bad fortune to the couple, especially if the wedding is celebrated on February 29.
4) Leap year is bad luck
Leap years are viewed with some suspicion, as they are believed to come with many inconveniences and misfortunes. For example, in 1912 the shipwreck of the Titanic occurred; while in 1936, the Spanish civil war began. Leap years also saw the assassinations of Mahatma Gandhi (1948), Martin Luther King (1968) and John Lennon (1980).
2020 is also remembered as the year of Covid-19; However, the disease was first reported in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019.
Keep reading:
* What would happen if leap years did not exist
* Why is a day added to February when it is a leap year?
* February 30, the day that only existed once in history