Saturday is the seventh and therefore last day of the week according to many commonly used calendars, and is also the only day of the week to retain its Roman origin in English.
It was named after the Roman god, Saturn who was associated with the Titan Cronus, father of Zeus and many Olympians. He was renowned as the Roman god of agriculture, and consort of Ops (often identified as Rhea). Its original Anglo-Saxon rendering was Sæturnesdæg, which meant Saturn’s day; while in Latin, it was known as Dies Saturni, or Day of Saturn.
This follows the pattern of the ancients for naming the hours of the day, and days of the week according to the order of the planets as they then appeared to the eyes of the Greeks.
Read More: The Complete Story of how Monday Got its Name
For Jews, Seventh Day Baptists and Seventh Day Adventists, the seventh day of the week, known as Shabbat or Sabbath, stretches from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday and is the day of rest, while the Quakers traditionally refer to Saturday as “Seventh Day”, instead of using the pagan origin of the name.
In Japanese, the word Saturday (do youbi), meaning soil day and is associated with Saturn which literally means soil star. Similarly, in Korean, the word Saturday (tho yo il), also means soil day. In India, Saturday is Shanivar, based on Shani, the god manifested in the planet Saturn. In Thailand, the day is named from the word for Saturn, and the color associated with Saturday is purple.
Quick Facts About Saturday
- In Muslim countries, Fridays are considered the last day of the week and are holidays along with Thursdays; while Saturday is called is the first day of the week in many Arab countries.
- Saturday is the official day of rest in Israel, on which all government offices and most businesses, including some public transportation, are closed.
- Saturday is the usual day for elections in Nigeria and Australia, the only day on which elections can be held in New Zealand, and the preferred election day in the U.S State of Louisiana.
- In the United Kingdom, Saturday is the day most domestic fixtures in the English Premier Football League are played.
So, what is Saturday called in your mother tongue? In Yoruba, it is called Ojo Abameta. Do you care to share? Leave your comments in this section.
