Days Of The Week Named After Gods

Ever wondered why we call our days of the week by those specific names? It's not just because we're big fans of alliteration (though, let's face it, Monday does roll off the tongue nicely). No, the names of our days are a nod to our ancient past, when gods and goddesses ruled the skies and seas, and every day was a chance to honor them.

Monday - The Day of the Moon

Let's start our week with the most obvious one. Monday comes from the Old English 'Mōnandæg', which translates to 'day of the moon'. In many ancient cultures, the moon was a significant celestial body, often associated with fertility, growth, and the cycle of life. The Romans had their Luna, the Greeks their Selene, and the Norse their Máni, all of whom inspired our Monday.

Fun fact: In some languages, the day of the moon is still explicitly named after the celestial body. For instance, in Spanish, it's 'lunes', and in Italian, it's 'lunedì'.

Tuesday - The Day of Mars

Next up, we have Tuesday, derived from the Old English 'Tīwesdæg', honoring the Norse god of war, Tiw (or Tyr in Old Norse). Tiw was known for his courage and fairness, qualities that might not immediately spring to mind when you're facing a busy inbox on a Tuesday morning, but hey, every day's a school day.

Did you know? In some Slavic languages, Tuesday is named after the god of thunder and lightning, Perun. So, if you're feeling a bit stormy on a Tuesday, you're not alone.

Wednesday - The Day of Woden

We're halfway through the week now, and it's time to meet Wednesday's namesake, Woden (or Odin in Old Norse). Woden was the All-Father, the chief of the gods, and the god of wisdom, poetry, and runes. He was known for his thirst for knowledge, which he gained by sacrificing one of his eyes to drink from the well of wisdom. Now, that's dedication to lifelong learning.

Pro tip: Next time you're feeling particularly wise or poetic, remember to thank Woden.

Biblical Months Of The Year

Thursday - The Day of Thor

Thursday is dedicated to the god of thunder, Thor. In Old English, it was 'Þūnresdæg', and in Old Norse, 'Þorsdagr'. Thor was known for his strength and courage, and his hammer, Mjolnir, was one of the most feared weapons in the Norse pantheon. If you're feeling a bit thunderous on a Thursday, you're in good company.

Cultural reference: In Marvel's Avengers series, Thor's character is brought to life by Chris Hemsworth. Next time you're watching him wield Mjolnir, remember that you're sharing the day with this legendary god.

Friday - The Day of Freya

We're almost at the weekend, and Friday is dedicated to Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. In Old English, it was 'Frīgedæg', and in Old Norse, 'Frjádagr'. Freya was known for her beauty and her love of jewelry, particularly her necklace, Brisingamen. If you're planning a date night on a Friday, you're following in Freya's footsteps.

Fun fact: In some Romance languages, Friday is named after the Roman goddess of love, Venus. So, whether it's 'Viernes' or 'Vendredi', you're still honoring love and beauty.

Are the days of the week named after pagan gods? - YouTube

Saturday - The Day of Saturn

Finally, we reach Saturday, which comes from the Latin 'Saturni dies', honoring the Roman god of agriculture, Saturn. In ancient Rome, Saturday was a day of rest and celebration, much like it is for us today. Saturn was known for his wisdom and his love of peace, making him the perfect god to end our working week.

Pro tip: If you're feeling like taking a break from technology on a Saturday, remember that you're following in Saturn's footsteps. After all, even gods need a day off.

Sunday - The Day of the Sun

And so, we reach Sunday, the day of the sun. In many languages, this is explicit - 'dimanche' in French, 'domenica' in Italian, and 'domingo' in Spanish all mean 'day of the sun'. The sun was a significant deity in many ancient cultures, often associated with growth, life, and warmth. It's no wonder we save it for the end of the week, ready to recharge us for the week ahead.

Reflection: So, there you have it - a week in the company of gods. Next time you're dreading a Monday morning or looking forward to a Friday night, remember the ancient deities who inspired our days of the week. They might not be around anymore, but their legacy lives on in our calendars. And who knows? Maybe a little bit of their wisdom, courage, or love will rub off on us as we go about our daily lives. After all, every day is a chance to honor the extraordinary in the ordinary.