At the end of an exhaustive week comes Friday. Who would not like to quit everything and lounge around in this leisure-filled day? Amble around the garden. Call up a long-forgotten friend. Plan a weekend retreat, perhaps. But more than anything else, Friday reminds me of the luscious fried chicken that my mum prepares. Others may find umpteen other reasons to celebrate this day.

The Romans believed that Friday was the sacred day of Venus, the Goddess of love, and hence christened it dies veneris. At the same time, the Germans link the day with the Norse goddess of love, Frigg or Frija. It is widely believed that the word Friday originated from the Norse Frija.

Muslims enjoy Sabbath on Friday while it is also the day for other religious gatherings. Prophet Mumammad commemorated the creation of man on the “sixth day” of the week. This was done to differentiate the Muslims from Christians and Jews.

Christians consider Friday an unlucky day. Greek theologian Clement of Alexandria and other playwrights indicate that during the early days of Christianity, the devotees observed Friday by fasting and offering prayers.

Similarly, the Greek Orthodox Church forbids eating of meat on Fridays, except when it is the day of a major feast like Christmas. Among other activities that are not recommended for Friday are sailing, changing house, starting new work, writing letters, and, believe it or not, cutting nails!

The cause of many of these superstitions may be the crucification of Jesus Christ on that day. It was on Friday that Eve plucked the forbidden fruit and condemned both herself and Adam to a life of toil. Having incurred the wrath of the God, both were expelled from the Garden of Eden. It is also worth noting that six is held as the devil’s number.

Closer home, perhaps the darkest day in Nepal’s history was a Friday as well. Who can forget the day of the royal massacre at the Narayanhity palace?

Our octogenarian Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala once said he started getting goosebumps as Friday came. Whatever may be the reason for such high significance of Fridays, I hope it is certainly worth penning an article about this fated day!