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Have you ever wondered where the days of the week got their names? Down through the centuries we have taken them for granted but the ancients gave special names to each day for a reason. Each day was named after ferocious gods of war, gentle goddesses and the sun and moon. Months also are named after gods and goddesses, famed people and even numbers. Sunday: Legend tells that long ago, certain tribes of people in southern Europe could not explain the warm ball of light that appeared in the sky each day. They decided it was given to them by a great god and named the ball of light sol (Latin). To praise this god they named a day of the week after the ball of light. They named the day dies solis, Latin for "day of the sun." Later the people who dwelled in northern Europe also decided to honor this ball of light. In their non-Latin language, the day was called, sunnandaeg, meaning "day of the sun." Many years passed and sunnandaeg became known as Sunday in English. Monday:The southern European nation called the glowing ball of light in the night sky by the Latin name, lunae dies, and the northern Europeans called it mona. They named a day monan daeg which means Monday in English. Tuesday: Some of the Europeans believed in Tiw, God of War. His name was spelled several different ways. They believed that the god Tiw guided warriors who worshipped him. The god Tiw lived on a high mountain and whenever a warrior died in battle Tiw would come down to Earth with a group of beautiful women and take the dead warrior to paradise. To honor Tiw, the people named a day of the week after him. They named the day Tiwesdaeg, meaning Tuesday in English. Wednesday: Certain clans of people who used to live in northern Europe believed in many gods and goddesses, especially the Vikings. But these ancient people believed that one god held power over all the rest and his name was Woden. Legend tells that Woden wanted more than anything to be wise, so he traveled the world in a quest for wisdom. In order to receive wisdom and knowledge he was required to give one of his eyes. After doing so, he wore a large hat with a floppy brim to cover his missing eye. As Woden traveled he carried two Blackbirds perched upon his shoulders. They acted as his spies and at night they flew down to Earth to gather information on the people, reporting back to their master each morning. Woden always knew all the happenings on the Earth and many things had to be done in secret for fear of Woden's disapproval. To honor Woden, the people named a day of the week after him. They named this day Wodnesdaeg, meaning Wednesday in English. Thursday: When the people of northern Europe couldn't understand what thunder and lightning was they decided the flashing light and loud rumbling must be caused by an angry god. But this god needed a name so they named him, Thor. He was one god you didn't want to make mad. If the thunder was fierce, they claimed Thor was angry and throwing his large hammer across the sky. This caused lightning to dance in a fit of rage. While Thor was throwing his temper tantrum across the sky, he rode in a wagon or chariot pulled by two goats. The wheels made such a sound that it caused the thunder to roar. The people honored Thor by giving him his own day, Thuresdaeg meaning Thursday in English. Friday: Frigg was a kind and beautiful goddess who was married to Odin, the most powerful god. Frigg sat on her throne next to her beloved Odin and together they watched the happenings all over the world. Frigg was goddess of nature, controlling everything from the tinniest hamlet to the largest jungle. Frigg worked two jobs for she was also the goddess of love and marriage. The people loved her so much they named a day after her, calling it Frigedaeg, which became Friday. Saturday: Long ago in the days of the great Roman Empire, a god named Saturn ruled over the farmlands. According to the people, Saturn had control over the weather and could make it good if he was happy or make it bad if he was angry. Saturn decided how much rainfall each village would get. If they were not pleasing to him perhaps they would get none. Before planting time, a Roman farmer

would ask Saturn to give him good weather for his crops. They believed they must sacrifice an animal in order to please Saturn. If the god accepted, he would then make the weather nice for the farmers. In order to score extra points with Saturn the people named a planet after him along with a day of the week. They called this day "Saturni dies," Latin for "day of Saturn." In English it became known as Saturday.

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15y ago
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12y ago

Poseidon , Roman name Neptune, as for day of week, I don't think he was named after one.

Thursday is named after Thor, Norse god of, among other things, storms.

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15y ago

Monday- the moon's day Thursday- Thor's day (Norse Mythology, god of thunder) Saturday- Saturn's day (Roman Mythology, titan father of the gods) Sunday- the sun's day

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Q: What days of the week named after mythological characters?
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What are the Italian days of the week named after?

The Italian days of the week are named after celestial bodies and mythological figures: Lunedì (Monday) is named after the Moon (Luna). Martedì (Tuesday) is named after the God Mars (Marte). Mercoledì (Wednesday) is named after the God Mercury (Mercurio). Giovedì (Thursday) is named after the God Jupiter (Giove). Venerdì (Friday) is named after the Goddess Venus (Venere). Sabato (Saturday) is believed to be derived from the Hebrew word Shabbat. Domenica (Sunday) refers to the day of the Lord (Dio) or the Sun (Sole).


What are the days of the week named after in spanish?

The days of the week in Spanish are named after celestial bodies and mythological figures. For example, Monday is "lunes" named after the Moon (luna) and Thursday is "jueves" named after Jupiter (Júpiter).


Why are the days of the week named that way?

The days of the week were named after gods from Norse mythology. For example, Thursday was originally "Thor's day", named after the god Thor.


What group of gods are the days of the week named?

The days of the week are in part named after Norse gods (and also after the sun and the moon, which are not Norse gods).


Is it a pope who named the days of the week?

No it was a Romen guy


Did Romans trade on Sundays?

The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.The Romans had no "Sundays" or any named days of the week. In fact they didn't even have weeks. Their reckoning of days and months was different from ours.


Why are the days of the week named?

The days of the week are named after celestial objects and mythological figures from ancient cultures. For example, Sunday is named after the sun, Monday after the moon, Tuesday after the Norse god Tyr, Wednesday after the Norse god Odin, Thursday after the Norse god Thor, Friday after the Norse goddess Frigg, and Saturday after the Roman god Saturn.


How do days of the week relate to Greek mythology?

They do not. Saturday is named after Saturn, a Roman god. The other days of the week are named after Norse gods.The above applies to the English names of the days. Other languages may have different histories.


Are the days of the wek capitalized?

Yes, days of the week are capitalised because they are named after people or Gods.


The french days of the week are named after which planets Which one is dimanche named after?

The French days of the week are named after Roman gods, not planets. Dimanche means "Sunday" and is named after the Latin term "dies Dominica," meaning the Lord's day, in reference to the Christian Sabbath.


Is days of the week a special name of thing?

The days of the week are name after Norse gods. For example Thursday was named after the Norse god of thunder, Thor.


How were the days of the week named after?

In English the day of the week are mostly named after the gods in Norse mythology. Monday is named after the moon. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday is named after the gods in Norse mythology. Saturday is named after Saturn and Sunday is named after the sun.