Anglo-Saxon Days of the Week Part 2 Tuesday

Yesterday I started a look at the names we give our weekdays and the links to Norse and Anglo-Saxon mythology with a blog about Sunday and Monday.

Tuesday in old English is Tiwesdæg or “Tīw’s Day”, the day of Tiw. Tiw – or Tyr as he is sometimes called is the Germanic god of single combat and heroism. He is the equivalent of the Roman god Mars and indeed in the latin calendar this day is dies Mars (the day of Mars)

Tiw/Tyr is portrayed as having one hand:

This is because according to legend as recorded in the Edda (the Icelandic books containing the sagas and tales of the gods), Tyr lost the hand in an encounter with the wolf Fenric. Fenric was running amock and resisting all attempts to be bound. He eventually agreed to be bound IF one of the gods would place their hand in his jaws. Tiw agreed and it was bitten off but Fenric was bound (and will remain so until Ragnarok).

The old english Tiwaz rune (the T rune) is associated with Tiw.

This rune is found on more pots of cremated ashes in burial grounds than any other – perhaps fallen warriors on their way to Valhalla: the pagan Anglo-Saxons putting their faith in the brave warrior god.

Find out more about the Early Anglo-Saxons and their beliefs in Shield Maiden and The Amber Treasure