Friday

Friday is the day of the week between Thursday and Saturday. In countries that start the week on Monday, Friday is the fifth day. In places that begin with Sunday, it is the sixth day.

In many Western countries, Friday marks the end of the working week. People often look forward to the weekend after work on Friday. However, in some nations, Friday is the start of the weekend, coming before Saturday. For example, in Israel, Friday is the sixth day of the week, and in Iran, it is the last day of the weekend, with Saturday beginning the workweek again.

Etymology

The name Friday comes from old languages. In Old English, it was called frīġedæġ, meaning the "day of Frig." Frig was a Germanic goddess linked to Venus, a Roman goddess loved in many cultures. Similar names exist in other old languages like Old High German and Dutch.

In many languages, Friday is called the "day of Venus." For example, it is vendredi in French, venerdì in Italian, and viernes in Spanish. Some languages, like Portuguese, call it the "sixth day" instead. In Arabic, Friday is called al-jumʿah, meaning "gathering."

In Greek, Friday is Paraskevi, meaning "preparation day." Many other languages have their own special names for Friday, reflecting its importance in their cultures.

Folklore

In some cultures, Friday is seen as an unlucky day, especially for sailors. Many old sailors believed it was bad to start a trip on a Friday. This idea led to stories like the legend of the ship HMS Friday.

Some people think Friday the 13th is especially unlucky because of the number thirteen. However, not everyone feels this way. In Scottish Gaelic culture, Friday is considered a good day for planting seeds. Some even plant potatoes on Good Friday, believing it brings new life, just as the Resurrection followed the Crucifixion.

In astrology

In astrology, Friday is linked with the planet Venus and is shown by that planet's symbol ♀. Friday is also connected with the astrological signs Libra and Taurus.

Religious observances

Christianity

In Christianity, Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. It remembers the crucifixion of Jesus. Many Christian groups, including Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Methodists, and Anglicans, follow a special practice called the Friday Fast. This often means not eating meat, certain foods, or alcohol on Fridays.

Traditionally, Roman Catholics did not eat meat from warm-blooded animals on Fridays but could eat fish. In 1962, a McDonald's owner in Cincinnati, Ohio created the Filet-O-Fish to help people eat fish instead of meat on Fridays. Today, church leaders can choose other ways for people to show their faith instead of not eating meat.

The Eastern Orthodox Church also has special practices on Fridays, not eating meat, poultry, dairy, or fish unless it is a special feast day. Fridays are a time to remember the Crucifixion of Christ and the Mother of God.

Quakers called Friday the "Sixth Day" to avoid names from older beliefs. In some Slavic languages, Friday is called the "Fifth Day."

Hinduism

In Hinduism, Friday is linked to the goddess Shukracharya. It is a special day for married women who worship goddesses.

Islam

In Islam, Friday is a day for community prayer. Muslims gather at a mosque for a special prayer called Salat AlJumu'ah. It is a day of peace and rest. In many Islamic countries, the week ends on Friday. Some places, like Somalia and Iran, consider Friday the end of the week, while others start the week on Sunday.

Muslims are advised not to fast only on Friday unless it is part of their regular fasting habits or falls on special days. Friday is considered an important and blessed day.

Judaism

The Jewish Sabbath starts at sunset on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday. There is a custom to fast on the Friday of the week of Chukat.

Thailand

In Thailand, the color linked to Friday is blue. This comes from the Thai calendar.

Named days

Some Fridays have special names because of important events or traditions. For example, Black Friday is used to describe big problems that happened on a Friday, or sometimes just the 13th day of a month that falls on a Friday. In the United States, Black Friday also means the day after Thanksgiving, when many people start shopping for Christmas.

Another name is Casual Friday, also called Dress-down Friday. On this day, some offices let workers wear more relaxed clothes instead of formal work clothes.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. Many Christians remember this day by thinking about important events that happened a long time ago.