Imagine a world without streetlights, tall buildings, or light pollution. That’s how it was thousands of years ago. People would look up at the night sky and see a spectacular show of twinkling lights. Most of these lights seemed to stay in the same place night after night, forming patterns we now call constellations. But some of these lights were different – they moved!
These moving lights fascinated our ancestors. They called them “planets,” which comes from an ancient Greek word meaning “wanderers.” But here’s the funny part – their idea of planets was very different from ours today!
What Were Planets to the Ancients?
To the people of long ago, anything that moved in the sky was considered a planet. This included:
- The Sun (yes, they thought the Sun was a planet!)
- The Moon (Luna in Latin)
- Mercury
- Venus
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
Interestingly, they didn’t consider Earth to be a planet at all! They believed Earth was the center of everything, and all these “planets” moved around it. This idea, called the geocentric model, was widely accepted until a clever astronomer named Nicolaus Copernicus suggested a different view in the 16th century.
Copernicus proposed that the Sun was at the center (the heliocentric model), and Earth was just another planet orbiting it. This was a revolutionary idea that changed how we understand our place in the universe!
Now, let’s explore how these celestial bodies became the inspiration for our weekdays. Each day has its own unique story, blending astronomy, mythology, and ancient cultures.
Sunday: The Day of the Sun
Our week begins with Sunday, and fittingly so! The Sun, the brightest object in our sky, was seen as the most important “planet” by ancient people.
In many early cultures, the Sun was worshipped as a deity. The ancient Egyptians had Ra, the sun god, while the Greeks and Romans had Helios (later associated with Apollo). These sun gods were often seen as all-powerful, bringing light, warmth, and life to the world.
The importance of the Sun is reflected in its position as the first day of the week in many calendars. In Old English, it was called “Sunnandæg,” which literally means “Sun’s day.”
Imagine waking up on a Sunday morning thousands of years ago. As the Sun rises, painting the sky with beautiful colors, you might understand why our ancestors saw it as something magical and divine!
Interestingly these names also reflect in naming of days in other civilisations, for example in the indian system – Sunday (Ravivaar): Named after Ravi, the Sun god. This is the same as in English.
Monday: The Moon’s Day
As night falls on Sunday, we move to the next celestial body in line – the Moon. Monday, or “Moon’s day,” is named after this glowing nighttime companion.
The Moon has always held a special place in human culture. Its changing phases marked the passage of time, and many ancient calendars were based on its cycles. In fact, our word “month” comes from “Moon”!
In mythology, the Moon was often associated with feminine deities. The Greeks had Selene, the Romans had Luna, and the Anglo-Saxons had Máni. These moon goddesses were often seen as gentler counterparts to the powerful sun gods.
The Moon’s influence on Earth, especially on the tides, added to its mystique. People observed how it seemed to affect water, plants, and even human behavior (though many of these beliefs weren’t scientifically accurate).
In the Indian system – Monday (Somvaar): Named after Som (Soma), which represents the Moon.
Next time you look up at the Moon on a Monday night, think about how it has been watching over our planet for billions of years, inspiring myths, guiding travelers, and shaping our understanding of time!
Tuesday: Mars and the God of War
As we move further into the week, we encounter our first “true” planet (by modern definition) – Mars. Tuesday is named after this red planet, but the connection isn’t as obvious in English as it is in some other languages.
In Old English, Tuesday was “Tiwesdæg,” named after the god Tiw (also known as Tyr in Norse mythology). Tiw was a god of war and justice, associated with Mars, the Roman god of war.
But why Mars? Well, the ancient Romans named the red planet after their god of war because of its blood-red color. When you look up at the night sky and spot a reddish “star,” that’s probably Mars!
In many other languages, the connection is clearer. In Spanish, it’s “Martes,” in French “Mardi,” both directly referencing Mars.
Mars has always captured our imagination. Its reddish hue made people think of fire and blood, associating it with conflict and courage. Today, we know Mars as our planetary neighbor, a cold desert world that might have once had conditions suitable for life.
Tuesday is Mangalvaar in Hindi; Named after Mangal, which represents Mars.
So, next Tuesday, think about the red planet Mars and the ancient war gods. Maybe channel some of that martial energy into tackling your most challenging tasks!
Wednesday: Mercury’s Clever Day
Halfway through the week, we come to Wednesday, a day with a particularly tricky history. In English, it’s hard to see the connection to any planet, but trust me, it’s there!
Wednesday comes from the Old English “Wodnesdæg,” meaning “Woden’s day.” Woden (also known as Odin in Norse mythology) was the chief god in Germanic mythology, associated with wisdom, poetry, death, and magic.
But how does this connect to planets? Well, the Romans associated Woden with their god Mercury. Mercury was the messenger of the gods, known for his speed, cleverness, and skill as a communicator.
The planet Mercury is named after this quick-footed god because it moves so fast across the sky. It orbits the Sun in just 88 Earth days! In many other languages, the connection is more obvious. In French, it’s “Mercredi,” and in Spanish “Miércoles,” both directly referencing Mercury.
Mercury, being the closest planet to the Sun, is a world of extremes. It’s scorching hot on the side facing the Sun and freezing cold on the other. Just like the god it’s named after, the planet Mercury is full of surprises!
In Hindi, Budh is Mercury and hence Wednesday is Budhvaar.
So, this Wednesday, why not channel some of Mercury’s quick wit and communication skills? It might be a good day for writing, speaking, or solving puzzles!
Thursday: Thunderous Jupiter
As we roll into Thursday, we’re greeted by the mightiest of planets – Jupiter! This gas giant, the largest planet in our solar system, lends its name to the fifth day of the week.
In Old English, Thursday was “Þunresdæg” or “Thunor’s day.” Thunor, also known as Thor in Norse mythology, was the god of thunder, lightning, storms, and strength. The Romans associated Thor with their god Jupiter (also known as Jove), the king of the gods.
Jupiter, both the god and the planet, represents power and authority. The planet Jupiter is a behemoth, more than twice as massive as all the other planets in our solar system combined! Its rapid rotation (a Jovian day is less than 10 hours long) creates powerful storms, including the Great Red Spot, a giant storm that has been raging for hundreds of years.
In many languages, the connection to Jupiter is clear. In French, it’s “Jeudi,” and in Spanish “Jueves,” both derived from Jupiter’s name. In the Indian mythology, Jupiter is Brihaspati or Guru and hence the day is called Guruvaar
So, when Thursday rolls around, think of mighty Jupiter spinning rapidly in space, its many moons dancing around it. Maybe it’s a good day to be bold and take charge, just like the king of the planets!
Friday: Venus and Love
As we near the end of the workweek, we come to Friday, a day many people look forward to. It’s named after one of the brightest and most beautiful objects in our night sky – the planet Venus.
In Old English, Friday was “Frigedæg,” named after the goddess Frigg. Frigg was the wife of Odin and the goddess of love, marriage, and destiny in Norse mythology. The Romans associated Frigg with their goddess Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.
Venus, often called Earth’s sister planet due to its similar size, is named after the goddess of love because of its beauty in the night sky. It’s the third-brightest object in our sky after the Sun and Moon, and its steady, gentle light made ancient people associate it with love and harmony.
However, the actual planet Venus is far from gentle! It’s a world of extremes, with a thick atmosphere creating a runaway greenhouse effect. The surface of Venus is hot enough to melt lead! It’s a reminder that beauty can sometimes be deceiving.
In many languages, Friday’s connection to Venus is clear. In French, it’s “Vendredi,” and in Spanish “Viernes,” both derived from Venus. Shukra, which represents Venus in Sanskrit contributed to the Hindi word Skukravaar to Friday.
So, when Friday comes, think of bright Venus shining in the sky. Maybe it’s a good day to appreciate beauty, express love, or simply enjoy the harmony of a week well-spent!
Saturday: Distant Saturn
We’ve reached the final day of our week, Saturday, named after the most distant planet known to ancient astronomers – Saturn.
Unlike the other days of the week, Saturday’s name comes directly from the Roman god Saturn, without a Germanic or Norse intermediary. In Latin, it was “Dies Saturni,” or “Day of Saturn.”
Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture, plenty, and time. He was associated with the Greek titan Cronus, who was said to rule over the Golden Age, a time of peace and prosperity.
The planet Saturn is perhaps best known for its stunning ring system, although these weren’t discovered until the invention of the telescope. To ancient observers, Saturn appeared as a steady, pale yellow “star” that moved slowly across the sky.
In fact, Saturn takes nearly 30 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun! This slow movement made ancient astronomers associate it with time, old age, and wisdom.
Today, we know Saturn as a gas giant, a world of swirling clouds with a complex system of rings and moons. It’s a place of incredible beauty and ongoing scientific discovery. Saturday is Shanivaar in Hindi, named after Shani, which represents Saturn. This is the same as in English.
So, when Saturday arrives, think of ringed Saturn spinning slowly in the outer reaches of our solar system. Maybe it’s a good day to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the passage of time!
Bringing It All Together
And there you have it! Our week, a journey through space and time, from the blazing Sun to distant Saturn. Each day carries with it thousands of years of human observation, mythology, and astronomical discovery.
This similarity between the Indian and English naming systems isn’t coincidental. Both systems have roots in ancient Babylonian astrology, which influenced Greek, Roman, and eventually Germanic traditions in Europe, and separately influenced Indian astrology and timekeeping.
The next time you say the name of a day, remember that you’re speaking a piece of cosmic history. You’re connecting yourself to ancient sky-watchers who looked up in wonder, to the planets spinning through space, and to the timeless human practice of finding meaning in the heavens.
Our modern understanding of the solar system is very different from that of our ancestors. We know now that the Sun is a star, not a planet. We’ve discovered planets they never knew existed, like Uranus and Neptune. We’ve even sent spacecraft to visit all of these worlds!
Yet, in our day names, we preserve this ancient view of the cosmos. It’s a beautiful reminder of how we, as humans, have always looked to the sky for inspiration, guidance, and a sense of our place in the universe.
So, the next time you look up at the night sky, remember: the same planets that light up the heavens also journey with you through each week. Every day is a little piece of the cosmos, right here on Earth!
