Friday, October 14, 2011

Oh Man, Oh Man... Friday!

Sunrise over Sea Oats, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


In Daniel Defoe's classic novel, the castaway Robinson Crusoe happily discovers a companion on his deserted island (on a Friday), and names him Man Friday. 

Little did he know he continued a long tradition of welcoming Fridays 
that dates back to ancient times.

The Roman word for the sixth day of the week was dies Veneris, a day dedicated to Venus (who wouldn't mind welcoming the sight of this renown goddess of beauty?). In Norse mythology, the counterpoint of Venus was Freyja, hence Friday, from the Old English interpretation of the word. Freyja was the goddess of love and marriage. So it is no surprise that Norsemen considered Freyja's day one of good luck, and they often 

held weddings on this day, another reason to celebrate the arrival of Fridays.

So I welcome Friday with open arms, and thankfulness for the start of a new weekend.

Here's to Friday... Prosit!

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