Are you into rhymes?
“Monday’s child is fair of face.
Tuesday’s child is full of grace.
Wednesday’s child is full of woe.
Thursday’s child has far to go…”
If you’re a Thursday’s child according to this old rhyme you’re predestined for greatness!
How about David Bowie’s Thursday’s child lyrics?
“Throw me tomorrow, oh oh
seeing my past to let it go
Throw me tomorrow, oh oh
only for you I don’t regret
And I was Thursday’s child (oh oh)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, born I was…”
Whether we refer to old rhymes or modern lyrics Thursdays have always been an inspiration! Inspired and in a singing mood we’ve prepared these interesting facts about Thursdays that’ll probably motivate you to find your own Thursday’s tune…
1. Thursday is named after a famous god.
In Old English, Thursday means Thor’s day. Thor is presented riding a chariot drawn by goats, wielding his hammer.
2. Jupiter gets involved, too.
In most languages with Latin origins, the day is named after the god and planet Jupiter.
Jupiter is portrayed as the principal god of sky and thunder who upheld his power with his thunderbolt. Planet Jupiter’s astrological and astronomical sign is sometimes used to represent Thursday.
3. The Jupiter connection doesn’t end there.
Thursday is reigned by Jupiter and Jupiter signifies wealth, prosperity, and growth.
4. It’s just over the halfway point of the week.
According to the international standard ISO 8601, Thursday is the 4th day of the week.
5. However, this can vary.
Thursday is the 5th day of the week in countries where Sunday is the first day of the week in their calendar.
In Slavic languages and in Chinese, Thursday is the 4th day, while the Greeks and Portuguese denote Thursday as the 5th day.
6. Thursday is of religious importance.
Maundy Thursday or Sheer Thursday is traditionally a day of cleaning and giving out Maundy money in the United Kingdom.
7. The religious connections continue.
“Ascension Thursday” is set forty days after the end of Easter – it’s the time Christ was said to have started rising to heaven.
8. Thursdays can be musical in some religions.
Thursdays are dedicated to the Apostles and Saint Nicholas in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Octoechos has hymns on these themes, arranged in an eight-week cycle, that are sung on Thursdays throughout the year.
9. Buddhists believe Thursdays are important in education.
In Buddhist Thailand, it is believed that a person should begin their education on a Thursday, because Thursday is considered to be “Teacher’s Day”.
Thai students still have gratitude ceremonies on Thursdays for their teachers. Therefore, graduation days at universities in Thailand almost always occur on a Thursday.
10. An enduring symbol was picked on a Thursday.
On the 20th of June 1782 – Thursday – the United States of America made a decision to choose the Bald Eagle as their emblem and official logo.
11. Thursday’s child is pretty prolific!
The famous Leonardo Da Vinci was born on a Thursday.
12. Beware – The Thursday!
Nostradamus made a threatening prediction for a future Thursday. Once he prophesied that a powerful leader who would terrorize the East will make Thursday his celebration day.
13. Don’t panic.
“I never could get the hang of Thursdays” are words said by Arthur Dent in Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. The planet Earth also gets destroyed on that day (in the book!).
14. British elections are Thursday occasions.
All general elections in the U.K have been held on a Thursday since 1935. This has become a custom, not a requirement of the law.
15. It is, of course, a day of thanks.
In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November.
16. Thursday’s also a big pay day for folks Down Under.
Most Australians are paid either weekly or biweekly on a Thursday, so most shopping malls are generally open until 9 pm, which is later than other weekdays.
17. The Norwegians consider it a shopping day.
In Norway, Thursday has also been the day when most shops and malls are open later than on the other weekdays.
FAQs about Thursdays
Is Thursday actually the middle of the week?
Yes - Thursday, at around 5pm, is considered the middle of the modern week.
What’s Thursday’s colour?
In some parts of the world, Thursday is associated with the colour orange.
What is Thursday referred to as in German?
In German, Thursday is known as Donnerstag.
Further reading
https://facts.uk/tag/days-of-the-week
Do you know any fun facts about Thursdays? Share them in the comments below!