The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-06-11
Name, Of the Days---Ihcir origin.


Tie idols which our Saxon ancestor.
wor~hiTprd-irom which the days ot the
week derive their names-we'c various.
and We're the principal Objects Of thc.r
adoption.
1bc ItE n tic Ssa-Ths idol which
represented the glorious iuminavv Of the
day, Was the chief object Of their worship.
lt Is described like the bust Of man upon
Il pillar. holding. with out,tretched arms
q burning wheel before his breast The
first day of the week was especially de,lic;,-
tel to its alteration which they termed the
suns DQsg, hence Is derived the word sun
day
Tie LIol Of The Noon.-The next was the
idol OF the moon. worSh;pped on the sec
oud day OF the week called bv them
.ifognS Dag. and since by u. Monday
The form OF this idol IS intended to repre-
sent woman hab!ted III short coat and
hood, having two long ears. The Moon
which She holds Ill her hand represents
the quality.
TTe Id5l # tie Taseo-Tuisco was first
defied as the father and ruler of the Tell-
tonic race. but in the course Of time he
was worShipped as the SON OF Earth. From
this came the Saxon word Ig.ttogS Dag,
which We call Tuesday. lie is rcpresen-
ted as standing on a pedestal an old,
venerable sage, clothed III the skin OF an
animal, holding q sceptre III his right
hand
Tie Idol Of H09c,, or OEsl-Woden. or
Odin, was the supreme divinity Of the
northern nations This hero is supposed
to have emigrated from the East, but from
what country or at what time Is not known.
His exploits form the greater part OF tne
NEUROLOGICAL creed OF the northern na-
tons, and his achievements are magniii-
cent beyond all crcdibility. The name Of
the fourth day of the week, called by the
Saxons Uodsn'S Dpcg, and by Us Wednes-
day, is derived from this parsonage. No-
den is represented in a martial attitude,
with broad sword u1litted in his right
hand
The IloL 2Tor-Thor. the oldest and bra
vest OF the sons OF Wooden and Friga, was,
after his parents, considered the greatest
among the Saxons and Danes. To him The
fifth day ofthe week, called BY them IEgr's
Docg, and by us Thursday, was consecra-
ted. Thor is represented as sitting upon
a throne, with a crown Of gold npon his
head, adorned with a circle in front where
in were set twelve bright FURNISHED gold
stars, and with regal sccptre IL his right
hand
Tie Idol Fifga, or Eea-Friga, or Frea,
was the wife OF Wooden. or Odin, and next
to him, the most reverend divinity among
the heathen Saxons. Danes and northern
nations In the most ancient times, Friga,
or Frea was the same with the Goddess
Ueatha. or Earth To her the sixth day of
the week was consecrated. which, by the
Saxons. was written Fr.ga' Daeg, correspon-
ding with our Friday Friga was repreSen-
ted with drawn sword in her right hand,
and bow in her left.
Tie Eioi .SeGtor-The idol Seator is rep
resented on pedestal, whereupon is placed
a perch, in the sharp back Of which he
stood His head was uncovered, and his
visage lean. In his left hand he held up
a wheel, and in his right hand was pail
of water, wherein were flowers and iruits;
and his dress consisted Of long coat,
girdled with linen The appellation given
10 the day of his celebration Is still retain
ed The Saxons named it .SeGtcrs DceJ,
which we call Saturday.