Origin of day names
Sunday
Sunday is the first day of the week. From prehistoric times to the
close of the fifth century of the Christian era, the worship of the
sun was dominant. The name comes from the Latin dies solis, meaning
"sun's day": the name of a pagan Roman holiday. It is also called
Dominica (Latin), the Day of God. Sunday celebrates the sun god,
Ra, Helios, Apollo, Ogmios, Mithrias, the sun goddess,
Phoebe.
Monday
Monday is the second day of the week, day of moon goddess, Selene,
Luna and Mani. Derived from Lunae Dies, day of the moon, the name
reflects the ancient observance of feast days dedicated to moon
goddess or planet.
Tuesday
Tuesday is the third day of the week. In the Roman calendar the
corresponding day was dies Martis, the day of Mars, associated with
Ares. Tiw's day is derived from Tyr or Tir, the god of honorable
war, the wrestler and the son of Odin and, or Woden, the Norse god
of war and Frigga, the earth mother. His emblem is the sword, and
in olden days the people paid him great homage. Tuesday was named
in his honor.
Wednesday
Wednesday, the fourth day of the week, corresponds to the Roman
Dies Mercurii. The name derives from the Scandinavian Woden (Odin),
chief god of Norse mythology, who was often called the All
Father.
Thursday
Thursday is the fifth day of the week. It derives its name from the
Middle English Thoresday, or Thursdaye, corresponding to the Roman
dies Jovis.
Thor, the god of strength and thunder, defender and help in war,
son of Odin, is the counterpart of Jupiter or Jove. Thursday was
sacred to Thor.
Friday
Friday is the sixth day of the week. The name is derived from the
Germanic Frigga the name of the Norse god Odin's wife. Frigga is
considered to be the mother of all, and the goddess who presides
over marriage. The name means loving or beloved.
The corresponding Latin name is Dies Veneris, a day dedicated to
Venus, the goddess of love.
Saturday
Saturday is the seventh day of the week, corresponding to the Roman
dies Saturni, or day of Saturn, the Roman god of
agriculture.
