Friday etymology

Etymology

The word "Friday" originates from the Old English word "Frīgedæg," which means "Frigg's day." Frigg was the goddess of love and fertility in Norse mythology.

Meaning

Friday is the sixth day of the week, following Thursday and preceding Saturday. It is traditionally associated with the planet Venus and the astrological sign of Libra.

Origin

The concept of Friday as a day of the week goes back to ancient times. In the Babylonian calendar, it was known as "Venus Day," dedicated to the goddess Ishtar (the Babylonian equivalent of Venus). The Romans adopted this and named the day "Dies Veneris," which was later Latinized to "Veneris Dies."

When the Germanic tribes of Northern Europe adopted the Roman calendar, they translated the names of the days into their own languages. "Veneris Dies" became "Frīgedæg" in Old English, after the Norse goddess Frigg. The equivalent word in German is "Freitag" and in Dutch, "vrijdag."

Cultural Significance

Friday has different cultural connotations around the world:

  • In Western cultures, Friday is often associated with the end of the workweek and the beginning of the weekend. It is a common day for social gatherings and entertainment.
  • In Islamic culture, Friday is a holy day marked by communal prayer at the mosque and special religious observances.
  • In Jewish culture, Friday is known as "Erev Shabbat" and is a time for preparation for the Sabbath, which begins at sunset.
  • In Christianity, Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a day of mourning and remembrance.

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