Why does the week consist of seven days? Why are the days of the week that is what is called in the Russian language: the history of origin

In this article we will learn why the week consists of seven days and what denot the names of the week in the Russian language.

Content

For us, the days of the week, their name and quantity is something ordinary. But everyone sometimes wondered why exactly seven, not ten. And we will not talk about their names at all, because this is the first thought of all the curious. To expand your horizons and satisfy internal curiosity, we invite you to understand this issue. And to understand why the days of the week have such names and generally consist of seven.

Where did the name of the day come from - Sunday in Russian: the history of origin, meaning

Every day of the week is called in Russian for a reason. Moreover, the reference order began with Sunday, and not from the usual Monday. Let's take a look at those distant times and establish a connection between the names and their meaning.

In the old days among the Slavs, the word "week" had a different meaning - it meant sunday. It has preserved such a meaning in the Ukrainian language so far.
And for seven days they called the week, this name is now being used in Orthodox calendars. It can also be found in Bulgarian.
- The word has a common root with a negative verb “do not do”. That is, you need to relax, which requires and means a day off. Such a way has been preserved so far. Later, with the adoption of Christianity and Orthodoxy, its name was replaced on Sunday.
- It was on this day, according to biblical traditions, that Jesus Christ was risen. And this day is recommended to devote to serving God. It is also worth highlighting that this day in many peoples is considered a sunny day, since it belongs to the chief heavenly luminary - the sun.

Important: In the names of the remaining working days of the week, a serial score is used.

Monday name: History, meaning

The next day after Sunday - monday. Everything is easy here - the first day is after a week. He is also called his head. If you disassemble the word in more detail, then they added to the “Week” (first) and added a suffix “Nick” for convenience.
- After rest, it is not easy to start. Hence the saying: "Monday is a heavy day." On this day, according to popular signs, you can safely tear your teeth, because everything will pass without complications.

Tuesday name: History, meaning

Tuesday - This is the second day that the Romans belongs to Mars. This name is reflected in many peoples of the world. But the day is considered unhappy and, moreover, is not suitable for the beginnings of a large and important business.
- There is even a Spanish proverb that "on Tuesday the bird and nests do not go." Although we usually use it for great church holidays. More precisely, for the Annunciation. By the way, on this day it is not recommended to marry and go on a trip.

Environment name: History, meaning

Wednesday (There is even the name of the Summary Sereda that falls on Shrovetide) - this is the third day after the weekend. In distant times, when the week began on Sunday, on this day it was just The middle of the seven -day. Hence the name. In Christianity, there is also the name of the first post - on this day they betrayed Christ.
- This day belongs to Mercury, therefore it is considered the most favorable time for studying, gaining knowledge and the exchange of information or experience.

Sunday in the old days it was called a week and meant rest

Thursday name: History, meaning

Thursday Or a quarter is the fourth day of the week. In the pagan past, during the drought on this day they turned to Perun so that he would send rain to the ground. Hence the saying "after the rain on Thursday." It means that it will never come true.
- Although this day refers to the planet of Jupiter, which is famous for generosity and luck. Therefore, the work begun promises a good and successful ending.

Friday name: History, meaning

Friday Or heels is the fifth day. This day has the name Paraskev Friday, which is named after the Great Martyr. From the Greek language - it means "eve of Saturday." And the Slavs revered the saint with that name. It is believed that it helps in family and household matters.
- In Christianity, this is a lean day, it was on Friday that Jesus Christ was crucified. In Rus', Friday was bazaar, so trade obligations were fulfilled on this day. If a person did not fulfill them, then they said about him: "Seven Fridays in a week."
- On Wednesday and Friday, folk signs are advised not to do anything, which can not be said about Tuesday and Thursday, when you can do everything. But we already know that Tuesday is not suitable for new undertakings, so it is better to postpone this until Thursday.
- And about Friday you need to mention that she refers to Venus. Therefore, this is a day of love and fertility.

Sabbath name: History, meaning

Saturday It has roots in Jewish and means Shabbat (a slightly changed sound on the subbat), which means peace and rest. Yes, the Jews are considered this day a weekend, and they do nothing in it. Moreover, on this day it is even necessary to relax and you can do it as much as you want.
- By the way, this day still refers to the planet Saturn, so on Saturday it is recommended to complete all the things started. And during this period it is not advisable to marry, but the soul and body need rest. After all, it is on this day that you can restore more necessary energy.

Important: the idea to call the days of the week in serial numbers came to the Slavs from the Byzantine state.

Even in ancient Rome, the name of the days of the week was associated with famous heavenly luminaries

Why a week consists of seven days: a magic number seven

It is interesting to know that in ancient calendars there were months and days, but there was no breakdown into cycles in them. People simply did not have the need for this. With the development of society, the construction of cities, bazaars that traded on certain days began to appear. There was a need for an additional countdown. And then a small separation went. In those days, there were calendars of eight, five- and even three-day cycles. Among the ancient Germanic peoples, he was in general out of fourteen days, and in ancient Egypt - out of ten.

And only the Jews and the inhabitants of Ancient Babylon used the seven -day. For this, the phases of the moon were used. In seven days, it increased to a quarter, the same amount to the full moon, and the old moon had the same cycles. Only four cycles of 7 days.
Christians adopted a seven -day cycle, because it was described in the Old Testament as a process of creating the world by God.
For the first time, the Byzantine Empire called all seven days, following which this innovation spread to other states.
The idea to call days has come to the Slavs since the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Here, each day was consistent with certain heavenly luminaries that were known in those days. But, these names of mythological creatures, used in Western European languages, were heavily perceived in the Slavic language.
Therefore, St. Methodius, taking as a basis, the serial score, came up with simple uncomplicated days of the week, which quickly and easily fixed in everyday life.