2024-02-18 08:50:28
Foto: Shuterstock
Text: Editorial Cuba Noticias 360
2024 will be a leap year. Leap years are those that have an extra day in the calendar, that is, a total of 366 days. This is because the actual length of a year is not exactly 365 days, but approximately 365 days and 6 hours. To make up for this difference, an extra day is added to the calendar every four years. Because of this mathematical adjustment, leap years often have both positive and negative superstitions.
Leap years occur every four years, except in centennial years that are not divisible by 400, for example, the year 1900 was not a leap year, but the year 2000 was. In some cultures, it is believed that, if a person is born in a leap year, he will have special abilities and will be very intelligent.
In Mexico, it is believed that if a woman places a gold ring under her pillow on the night of February 29, she will find her soul mate before the next leap year. In some parts of Europe, it is said that, if a person jumps on a chair or table on February 29, they will have good luck throughout the year.
Elsewhere, leap year is believed to be a time of renewal and change. Therefore, it is recommended to do a deep cleaning at home and get rid of everything old to make way for the new.
In that sense there are also negative superstitions around the leap year. Leap year is considered an unlucky year to get married. It is believed that couples who marry in a leap year will have an unhappy marriage.
On the contrary, others think and believe that leap year is a time when women can propose marriage to men. This belief originated in Ireland in the 5th century and has spread to other countries.
In some places, leap year is believed to be a time when evil spirits can cause trouble. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid making any big changes or important decisions during this time. Likewise, it is assumed that it is a time to make long-term plans and establish important goals for the future.
In Cuba there is the famous saying expressed by grandmothers: “Leap year, sinister year,†to symbolize that this type of date has not been well regarded for a long time.