Egyptian days

Lore & Background

The Egyptian days were specific dates in each month, such as January 1 and 25, February 4 and 26, March 1 and 28, and so on through December 7 and 22. These days were considered unlucky to begin any enterprise, and physicians were particularly discouraged from performing bloodletting on them. The list appears in medieval sources and is recorded in Latin as dies Ægyptiaci.

Reader's Guide

The Egyptian days represent a notable aspect of medieval European superstition, where specific calendar dates were believed to carry misfortune. Their significance lies in how they influenced daily life and medical practice, as physicians were advised against bloodletting on these days. The concept connects to broader traditions of unlucky days, such as the Tycho Brahe days, and reflects the medieval tendency to ascribe astrological or religious meaning to time. While the origin of the term 'Egyptian' is uncertain, the list itself was widely copied in manuscripts, indicating its cultural importance. The days were not merely folk belief but were recorded in scholarly and medical texts, showing their integration into learned traditions. Their legacy persists in modern studies of medieval calendars and superstitions, offering insight into how pre-modern societies structured risk and avoided harm.

Did You Know?

• Physicians were especially discouraged from performing bloodletting on Egyptian days.
• The Latin term for Egyptian days is dies Ægyptiaci.
• The list includes two specific dates for each month, such as January 1 and 25.