The idea that women could propose marriage on leap day appears to have roots in medieval Europe, with the most popular origin story tracing back to Ireland in the 5th century:

The Legend of St. Bridget and St. Patrick

According to Irish folklore, St. Bridget of Kildare complained to St. Patrick about the fact that women had to wait for men to propose marriage, which often meant years of waiting for those who wished to express their feelings. To address this, St. Patrick supposedly granted women the right to propose once every four years, on leap day, February 29.

This story, though most likely apocryphal, became a powerful cultural narrative that gave leap day a romantic significance and a unique social role. It symbolized a temporary suspension of the rigid gender roles of the time, allowing women a rare opportunity to take the initiative in courtship.

Leap Day Proposals in Medieval and Later European Traditions

The leap day proposal tradition spread beyond Ireland and found expression in several European countries:

• Scotland and England: There are records and customs suggesting women could propose on leap day, sometimes backed by laws or social agreements that set penalties for men who refused such proposals. For instance, in 1288, the Scottish Parliament supposedly passed a law compelling men to accept proposals on leap day or pay a fine, often in the form of a skirt or gloves for the woman.
   

• England: In the 18th and 19th centuries, leap day proposals were still regarded as unusual but humorous and were often portrayed in literature and popular culture as an occasion for women to boldly ask men to marry them.
   

• Other European countries: Variations of this tradition appear in France, Denmark, and Finland, where leap day was similarly considered a day when women could break social convention. shutdown123