Egyptian days refers to the ancient Egyptian calendar system, used by the ancient Egyptians to measure the passage of time. The Egyptian calendar consisted of 365 days divided into 12 months, each containing 30 days, with an additional 5 days known as the epagomenal days to complete the year.
Each month was divided into three periods of ten days called "decans," making a total of 30 days. The ancient Egyptians named each of these days and assigned them deities that they believed had influence on different aspects of life and nature. For instance, the first day of the decan was associated with Ra, the sun god, and the second day with Horus, the sky god.
The Egyptian calendar was primarily based on the cycle of the Nile River, as it played a central role in the agricultural life of ancient Egypt. Flooding of the Nile marked the beginning of the year, and the calendar helped predict the annual flood patterns, allowing farmers to plan their agricultural activities accordingly.
Unlike the modern Gregorian calendar we use today, which is based on the solar year, the ancient Egyptian calendar did not account for leap years, leading to a discrepancy of over a quarter of a day from the solar year. Over time, this resulted in the calendar losing synchronization with the seasons.
Egyptian days, therefore, refer to the measurement of time according to the ancient Egyptian calendar, showcasing their rich cultural and religious beliefs as well as their dependence on the Nile River and agriculture.
