Who named day and night?

Introduction: The Origin of Day and Night

Day and night are two basic and inseparable phenomena of the Earth’s rotation around its axis. However, the origin of their naming is rooted in ancient mythology and philosophical beliefs, as well as scientific discoveries and cultural influences. From the earliest civilizations to the modern era, the naming and understanding of day and night have evolved and diversified, reflecting humanity’s curiosity and creativity.

Ancient Beliefs about Day and Night

In many ancient cultures, day and night were personified as deities or symbols of cosmic forces, such as the sun god Ra in Egyptian mythology or the yin-yang duality in Chinese philosophy. The concept of a cyclical alternation of light and darkness was also linked to the cycle of life and death, creation and destruction, or male and female principles. For example, the Hindu god Shiva was portrayed as both the destroyer and creator of the universe, who danced the cosmic dance of day and night. Similarly, the Greek goddess Nyx represented the night and her brother Hemera represented the day, as well as the dawn and dusk.

Early Scientific Theories on Day and Night

The ancient Greeks and other cultures also developed early scientific theories to explain the phenomena of day and night. For instance, the Pythagoreans believed that the sun was a fiery ball that revolved around a central fire, creating a day when it was visible and a night when it was hidden. Aristotle proposed a geocentric model of the universe, where the Earth was at the center and surrounded by concentric spheres of celestial bodies, including the sun and stars. He also recognized that the Earth’s shadow caused lunar eclipses and that the Earth was round, based on the observations of eclipses and the changing positions of stars.

The Contributions of Ancient Greek Philosophers

The ancient Greek philosophers, such as Plato, Pythagoras, and Aristotle, made significant contributions to the naming and understanding of day and night. Plato, for example, used the metaphor of the cave to illustrate the difference between the visible world of day and the invisible world of night. He also suggested that the soul was like a charioteer that guided the body through the day and night of life. Pythagoras, on the other hand, associated day and night with the harmony and disharmony of musical notes, proposing that the universe was a symphony of numbers and ratios. Aristotle, meanwhile, developed a comprehensive system of natural philosophy that integrated the concepts of motion, matter, and form, as well as the empirical observations of day and night.

The Role of Early Astronomers in Naming Day and Night

The early astronomers and astrologers, such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Maya, also played a vital role in naming and measuring day and night. They used various methods, such as the sundial, water clock, and star charts, to track the movements of celestial bodies and create calendars. They also developed complex mythologies and rituals that linked the cycles of day and night to the seasons, agriculture, and social events. For instance, the Babylonians believed that the sun, moon, and five visible planets were gods that controlled the fate of humans, and that the 12 constellations of the zodiac represented the 12 months of the year.

The Emergence of Modern Scientific Understanding

The modern scientific understanding of day and night emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries, with the discoveries of Nicolaus Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, and Isaac Newton. Copernicus proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system, where the sun was at the center and the planets orbited around it, explaining the apparent motion of the sun and stars. Kepler formulated the laws of planetary motion, which described the elliptical orbits of the planets and the varying speeds of their movement. Galileo used telescopes to observe the phases of the moon, the sunspots, and the moons of Jupiter, providing evidence for the Copernican theory and challenging the Aristotelian view of the universe. Newton formulated the laws of motion and gravitation, which explained the mutual attraction of celestial bodies and the causes of day and night.

The Discovery of the Earth’s Rotation and Revolution

The discovery of the Earth’s rotation and revolution was a crucial milestone in understanding the mechanisms of day and night. In 1543, Copernicus suggested that the apparent motion of the sun was due to the Earth’s rotation on its axis, but it was not until the 19th century that the proof of this theory was obtained by experiments and observations. The French physicist Foucault demonstrated the Earth’s rotation by using a pendulum that swung in a fixed plane while the Earth rotated beneath it. The German astronomer Bessel measured the parallax of a star and calculated the Earth’s orbit around the sun, confirming its annual revolution. The American astronomer Maury also mapped the ocean currents and winds that were affected by the Coriolis effect, caused by the Earth’s rotation.

The Influence of Language and Culture on Naming Day and Night

The naming of day and night has been influenced by the language and culture of different regions and periods. For example, in many Indo-European languages, the words for day and sun are cognates, such as “day” in English and “día” in Spanish, reflecting the association between day and the sun. In some cultures, the day begins at sunset or sunrise, rather than midnight, and the week is based on different cycles, such as the lunar cycle in Islamic and Jewish calendars. Moreover, the symbolism and rituals associated with day and night have varied widely, from the celebration of the winter solstice in pagan traditions to the observance of the Sabbath in Judaism and Christianity.

The Significance of Day and Night in Different Religions

Day and night have played a significant role in many religions, both as metaphors and as tangible elements of the divine order. In Hinduism, for example, the cycle of reincarnation is linked to the actions one performs during the day and the dreams one has during the night. In Buddhism, the enlightenment of the Buddha is said to have occurred during the night when he saw the starry sky and realized the interconnectedness of all beings. In Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus is associated with the dawn of the third day after his death, and the second coming of Christ is linked to the suddenness of the night. In Islam, the five daily prayers are timed according to the position of the sun, and the month of Ramadan is marked by fasting during the day and feasting at night.

The Evolution of Timekeeping and Naming Systems

The evolution of timekeeping and naming systems has been closely related to the naming and understanding of day and night. From the earliest sundials and water clocks to the modern atomic clocks and digital devices, humans have devised various ways to measure and divide time. The adoption of standardized time zones and the synchronization of clocks across different regions and countries have also facilitated global communication and commerce. Moreover, the naming of days and months has been influenced by the astronomical and mythological associations of celestial bodies and deities. For instance, the days of the week in English are named after the planets and gods of Norse and Roman mythology, such as Tuesday (Tiw), Wednesday (Woden), and Thursday (Thor).

Conclusion: The Continuing Fascination with Day and Night

The naming and understanding of day and night have evolved and diversified over the centuries, reflecting humanity’s curiosity and creativity. From the ancient myths and philosophical theories to the modern scientific discoveries and cultural influences, day and night have inspired awe, wonder, and contemplation. Their significance in different religions, timekeeping systems, and naming conventions also reflects the diversity and richness of human culture. As we continue to explore the mysteries of the universe and the nature of time, day and night remain a constant and fascinating part of our lives.

References and Further Reading

• Asimov, I. (1979). Asimov’s Guide to Science. Basic Books.
• Butterworth, B. (2016). The Universe Inside You: The Extreme Science of the Human Body. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Hoskin, M. (1999). The Cambridge Concise History of Astronomy. Cambridge University Press.
• Kuhn, T. (1957). The Copernican Revolution: Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought. Harvard University Press.
• Levenson, T. (2015). The Hunt for Vulcan: And How Albert Einstein Destroyed a Planet, Discovered Relativity, and Deciphered the Universe. Random House.
• Mayr, E. (1982). The Growth of Biological Thought: Diversity, Evolution, and Inheritance. Harvard University Press.
• Swerdlow, N. M. (1998). The Babylonian Theory of the Planets. Princeton University Press.
• Thompson, R. (2008). The Dawn of Astronomy: A Study of the Temple-Worship and Mythology of the Ancient Egyptians. Cosimo, Inc.
• Whewell, W. (1857). The Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences, Founded Upon Their History. John W. Parker and Son.