The names of the days of the week in English reveal a rich interplay of cultural influences, primarily from Roman and Germanic (including Norse) traditions, with some vestiges of ancient astrological practices.[1][2][3]
Roman and Planetary Influence
- The seven-day week became widespread due to Roman adoption, naming days after the Sun, Moon, and five visible planets, each associated with a Roman deity: Sol (Sun), Luna (Moon), Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.[1][2][3]
- In Latin, weekdays were called dies Solis (Sunday), dies Lunae (Monday), dies Martis (Tuesday), dies Mercurii (Wednesday), dies Jovis (Thursday), dies Veneris (Friday), and dies Saturni (Saturday).[3]
Germanic and Norse Substitution
- As the Germanic tribes adopted the Roman calendar, they replaced Roman gods with their own deities that matched the characteristics of the originals, especially for Tuesday through Friday.[1][2][3]
- For example, Mars (the war god) became Tiw or Tyr (Norse warrior god) for Tuesday; Mercury (messenger, god of wisdom and magic) corresponded to Woden/Odin for Wednesday; Jupiter (thunder god) was equated to Thor for Thursday; Venus (love goddess) became Frigg or Freyja for Friday.[4][2][1]
English Weekday Names Breakdown
Day | Roman Origin | English Name Source | Details |
Sunday | Sun (Solis) | Sun | Retains ancient/Latin celestial name |
Monday | Moon (Lunae) | Moon | Retains ancient/Latin celestial name |
Tuesday | Mars (Martis) | Tiw/Tyr | Germanic/Norse god of war |
Wednesday | Mercury (Mercurii) | Woden/Odin | Germanic/Norse all-father god |
Thursday | Jupiter (Jovis) | Thor | Norse thunder god |
Friday | Venus (Veneris) | Frigg/Freyja | Norse goddess of love & beauty |
Saturday | Saturn (Saturni) | Saturn | Retains original Roman god's name |
Cultural Mixing and Modern Legacy
- Sunday and Monday closely reflect original Roman/Latin celestial associations, as do Saturday, which directly preserves the Roman god Saturn's name.[1][3]
- Tuesday through Friday demonstrate the deep embedding of Norse and broader Germanic mythology in the English calendar system, a legacy remaining visible in today’s language.[4][2][1]
The naming of the days in English thus represents a remarkable cultural fusion: Roman conventions were adapted and partly overwritten by the dominant Germanic and Norse mythological frameworks in the early medieval period, producing the hybrid system familiar today.
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- https://englishlive.ef.com/en/blog/language-lab/origins-behind-english-weekday-names/
- https://worldwideinterpreters.com.au/2023/05/14/names-of-the-days-of-the-week/
- https://altalang.com/beyond-words/days-of-the-week-word-origins/
- https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/professions/education/viking-age-people/the-names-of-the-weekdays
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_the_days_of_the_week
- https://www.pearson.com/languages/community/blogs/english-days-of-the-week-9-24.html
- https://www.norhalla.com/blogs/tidbits-from-norse-mythology-and-viking-lore/norse-gods-are-days-of-the-week
- https://www.britannica.com/science/week
- https://www.ltes-global.com/a-day-by-any-other-name/
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