The origins of Saturday

Saturday. View of the Golden Gate Bridge, California.

Saturday was named for the planet Saturn, which controlled the first hour of that day according to Vettius Valens. The planet was named after the Roman god of agriculture Saturn.

It was originally known as dies Saturni "Saturn's Day", Saeternesaeg in Old English over time evolved into the word Saturday.

Saturday is the only day of the week in which the English name comes from Roman mythology, all other day names names originating from Anglo Saxon sources.

In Indian languages, Saturday is known as Shanivar, based on Shani, the Vedic God manifested in the planet Saturn.

In the Thai solar calendar, Saturday the day is named from the Pali word for Saturn, and the color associated with Saturday is purple.

Celtic languages also name this day for Saturn, Irish being Satharn or dia Sathuirn, Scottish Gaelic Disathairne, Welsh dydd Sadwrn, Breton Sadorn or disadorn.



Saturday:

  • Dutch ~ Zaterdag
  • French ~ Samedi
  • German ~ Samstag
  • Italian ~ Sabato
  • Portugese ~ Sábado
  • Spanish ~ Sábado

Saturdays child works hard for his living,
Childrens nursery rhyme.