The Origins of the 7-Day Week: Who Decided It?

Discover the origins of the 7-day week, tracing back to ancient Babylonian astronomy and its global adoption.

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The seven-day week originates from ancient Babylonian times and is rooted in their astronomical observations. They observed seven celestial bodies (the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn), which influenced their calendar. The concept was later adopted by the Jewish people, and it spread through Christianity and Islam, becoming a global norm.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Why do we have a 7-day week? The 7-day week originated from the ancient Babylonians' astronomical observations and has been adopted by various cultures over time.
  2. What celestial bodies influenced the 7-day week? The Babylonians observed seven celestial bodies: the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, which led to the 7-day structure.
  3. How did the 7-day week spread globally? The concept was adopted by the Jewish culture, further spread through Christianity and Islam, becoming a global standard.
  4. Are there other calendar systems besides the 7-day week? Yes, various cultures have developed their own calendar systems, but the 7-day week has become widely accepted in most societies.