Twice within as many days have I been asked the question: "Whence do we get the names of our weekdays ?" Lest there be other inquirers let me say that these were derived from pagan deities as depicted by idols. The Sun - or first day - was represented with a face like Sol, holding a wheel to signify his course round the world. The Moon, from which comes Monday, was idolised as a man holding the Moon. Tuisco, the ancient German god who gave the name to Tuesday - the day devoted to his worship - was shown dressed in a garment of skins. Wednesday was derived from Woden, a valiant Saxon prince whose idol was prayed to for victory in arms. Thor, the God of Thunder, gave his name to Thursday; he was portrayed sitting on a bed holding a hammer in his right hand. Friday is from Friga, who was worshipped as the giver of peace and plenty, but, strangely enough, was depicted with drawn sword and bow in hands. Saturday takes its name from Seater, who had the most miserable idol of all. He was thin, mean-visaged, and, like W. S. Gilbert's Elderly Sailor Man, "his beard was weedy; his hair was long."
The Irish Times, October 11th, 1930.