Why are almost all of the days names based on Norse gods?

by Teozac

Monday - Måne

Tuesday - Ti

Wednesday - Odin

Thursday - Tor

Friday - Freja

Saturday - Strangely not a Norse god, but the latin Saturn.

Sunday - Sol

Hinmatoowyalahtqit

It's an adaptation of Roman names for days.

Latin: French: English: Roman deity

dies lunae: Lundi: Monday: Luna

dies Martis: Mardi: Tuesday: Mars

dies Mercurii: Mercredi: Wednesday: Mercury

dies Iovis: Jeudi: Thursday: Jupiter

dies Veneris: Vendredi: Friday: Venus

dies Saturni: Samedi: Saturday: Saturn

dies solis: Dimanche: Sunday: Sol Invictus

The Roman deities were often identified with Germanic deities. Mercury was considered to be Woden, Jupiter was considered to be Þunor, Mars was considered to be Tiw, Frige was Venus, and so on. I presume that Saturn had no Germanic equivalent.

Also, a correction: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are named after Tiw, Woden, Þunor and Frige. all Anglo-Saxon deities, not Tyr, Odin, Thor, and Frigg/Freyja, who are Norse deities. That's why it's Wednesday and not Odinsday.

Searocksandtrees

hi! you'll find some info in this section of the FAQ