Tuesday

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IB 299 4to Tyr

Tuesday is the day of the week between Monday and Wednesday. According to international standard ISO 8601, it is the second day of the week, but in countries that use Sunday as the first day of the week, it is considered the third day. The name for Tuesday comes from the Old English Tīwesdæg, named after the Norse god Tiw or Tyr, who was the god of war and sky. This naming convention is similar to the naming of the day in Latin, dies Martis, after Mars, the Roman god of war.

Etymology

The English name Tuesday derives from the Old English Tīwesdæg and literally means "Tiw's Day." Tiw, or Tyr, was a one-handed god associated with law and heroic glory in Norse mythology, paralleled by Mars, the Roman god of war, in the Roman tradition. This connection is reflected in the names of the day in other languages, such as Mardi in French and Martes in Spanish, both of which are derived from the name of Mars.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, Tuesday holds various significances. For example, in the Greek world, Tuesday (the day of Mars) is considered an unlucky day, especially the 13th of the month. In contrast, in Judaism, Tuesday is seen as a lucky day because, in the Book of Genesis, the phrase "and God saw that it was good" is mentioned twice in relation to the third day of creation.

Astrology and Folklore

In astrology, Tuesday is associated with the planet Mars, symbolizing energy, action, and desire. This association can influence people's attitudes and beliefs about the day, attributing qualities of assertiveness and ambition to activities initiated on Tuesdays.

Weekly Occurrence

Globally, the working week typically considers Tuesday as a productive day, being one of the weekdays early in the sequence. In various religious and cultural traditions, specific practices or observances may be linked to Tuesday, further embedding it within the social and spiritual fabric of communities.

In Popular Culture

Tuesday features in many expressions and sayings, such as "Fat Tuesday" (Mardi Gras), which is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, a period of fasting and repentance in the Christian calendar. The phrase "Super Tuesday" refers to the day when the largest number of states in the United States hold primary elections to select delegates for the national conventions of the major political parties.

See Also

• Monday
• Wednesday
• Week
• Calendar
• Gregorian Calendar