Sól | "Sunnandæg," which means "day of the sun."

 

The word "Sunday" originates from Old English "Sunnandæg," which means "day of the sun." This naming convention is rooted in the Latin phrase "dies Solis," which translates to "day of the sun."

The Romans named the days of the week after celestial bodies and gods. "Dies Solis" was dedicated to the sun. The Germanic peoples (including the Anglo-Saxons) adopted this naming system, translating the Latin name into their own languages. In Old English, "Sunnandæg" directly reflects the Latin origin. The sun has historically been associated with light, warmth, and life, which contributed to its significance in various cultures, including the worship of sun deities.

The Roman god associated with the Sun was Sol. He was often depicted as a radiant figure driving a chariot across the sky, similar to the Greek god Helios. Sol was also associated with light, warmth, and the life-giving aspects of the sun.

• Ra (Egyptian) - The sun god, often depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon head, who traveled across the sky in a solar boat.

• Surya (Hindu) - The sun god, often depicted riding a chariot led by seven horses, symbolizing the seven colors of light.

• Inti (Inca) - The sun god worshipped by the Inca civilization, often considered the ancestor of the Inca people.

• Amaterasu (Japanese) - The sun goddess in Shinto, revered as one of the principal deities and associated with light and purity.

• Huitzilopochtli (Aztec) - Although primarily a god of war, he was also associated with the sun and was central to Aztec cosmology.

• Nanahuatzin (Aztec) - A sun god who sacrificed himself to become the sun, representing the cycle of life and death.

• Baal (Canaanite) - A storm and fertility god often associated with the sun, depicted as a powerful figure.

• Tammuz (Mesopotamian) - A god associated with fertility and the harvest, often linked to the sun in agricultural cycles.

• Eos (Greek) - The goddess of the dawn, heralding the arrival of the sun each morning.

• Kukulkan (Mayan) - A feathered serpent deity sometimes associated with the sun, particularly in relation to the solar calendar.

• Sól (Norse) - The sun goddess who drives the sun across the sky, pursued by the wolf Sköll.

• Shams (Arabian) - A sun god worshipped in pre-Islamic Arabia, representing light and warmth.

• Lugh (Celtic) - Although primarily a god of skills and crafts, he is associated with the sun and light.

• Atum (Egyptian) - Often linked to the sun, Atum is a creator god who embodies the setting sun.

• Chandra (Hindu) - While primarily a moon god, he is sometimes associated with the sun in various texts.

The Tale of Sól and the Wolf

In the ancient realms of Norse mythology, Sól, the radiant goddess of the sun, traversed the sky in her golden chariot, pulled by two magnificent horses named Árvakr and Alsviðr. Each day, Sól would rise in the east, bringing light and warmth to the world, chasing away the darkness of night.

However, lurking behind her was a fearsome wolf named Sköll, who had been prophesied to chase Sól until the end of days. Sköll, representing the darkness that seeks to consume light, was relentless in his pursuit, determined to devour the sun.

The Chase

As Sól journeyed across the sky, she sang songs of warmth and joy, her light nurturing the earth below. The flowers bloomed, and the people rejoiced, but she could feel the presence of Sköll growing closer with each passing day. The more light she provided, the stronger Sköll became, fueled by his desire to extinguish her glow.

Sól knew she had to find a way to outsmart the wolf. She sought the wisdom of the gods, particularly Odin, the All-Father, who had knowledge of the past, present, and future. Odin advised her to invoke the help of her brother, Máni, the god of the moon, who also faced the threat of a ravenous wolf named Hati.

The Divine Plan

Together, Sól and Máni devised a plan. They would work in harmony, balancing their light and shadow. Sól would shine brightly during the day, while Máni would cast a gentle glow at night. By alternating their appearances, they hoped to confuse the wolves and delay their inevitable capture.

As the days turned into months, the siblings executed their plan flawlessly. Sól rode her chariot with renewed vigor, while Máni glided through the night sky, illuminating the world with his silver light. Sköll and Hati, frustrated by their cleverness, grew weary from the chase.

The Final Confrontation

But destiny is relentless. One fateful day, during Ragnarök, the end of the world, Sköll finally caught up to Sól. With a mighty leap, he sprang forward, ready to devour the sun. However, in that moment of darkness, Sól's radiant spirit shone brighter than ever. She called upon the essence of life and light, channeling her energy into a brilliant flash that blinded the wolf.

In that dazzling moment, the other gods and creatures rallied around her, joining forces to fend off the encroaching darkness. The strength of their unity pushed Sköll back, and he was forced to retreat, for he could not withstand the power of their combined light.

Legacy of Light

Though Sól and Máni would eventually meet their fates during Ragnarök, their light would never truly vanish. From their sacrifice, new suns and moons would rise, symbolizing rebirth and the eternal cycle of day and night. Sól became a beacon of hope, reminding all of the importance of light in the face of darkness.

And so, the tale of Sól endures, a story of resilience, unity, and the everlasting struggle between light and darkness in the cosmos.