Monday’s Child Poem: What Your Birth Day Says About You
Ever thought about how the day you were born might shape who you are? Many of us know the old nursery rhyme “Monday’s Child is fair of face…” But what does it really mean?
This old poem suggests that your birth day could tell something special about your personality. Some folks brush it off, while others notice odd links to their own lives.
The poem gives each day of the week a different trait.
Born on Wednesday? You might be full of sadness.
Saturday? You work hard for your money.
Let’s look at this classic rhyme and check what your birthday might tell about you. Maybe you’ll spot some truth in these old words that families have shared for years.
The History of the Monday’s Child Poem
The “Monday’s Child” poem first appeared in the early 1800s. At that time, many people looked for signs and patterns to make sense of life.
The poem became a simple way to link birth days to how a person might turn out.
The rhyme was often taught to kids to help them learn the days of the week. Parents and teachers used it as a fun memory tool. Over time, it stuck around in our culture.
Different versions of the poem exist, but the basic idea stays the same. Each day of the week gives the child birth certain traits or paths in life on that day.
How to Find the Day of the Week You Were Born
Before we dive in, let’s figure out which day of the week you were born.
Easy ways to find out:
- Online Calculators:
The easiest way is to use websites like Timeanddate.com, which let you enter your birthdate and instantly tell you the day of the week. - Phone Calendar Trick:
If your phone calendar goes back far enough, just scroll to your birth year and check what day it was! - Manual Calculation (For the Curious!):
If you love numbers, you can use Zeller’s Congruence, a formula that calculates the day of the week for any historical date. (It’s a bit complicated but fun to try!)
Take a moment now to find your day before reading on. It makes the next sections much more fun when you know which day’s traits might match your own!
Knowing whether you’re a “full of grace” Tuesday baby or a “loving and giving” Friday child makes the rest of this article twice as fun.
The Original ‘Monday’s Child’ Poem
The “Monday’s Child” poem first appeared in the 1800s and was used as a teaching tool for children. It helped them remember the week’s days while adding a little fun!
Here’s the original version:
Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace.
Wednesday’s child is full of woe,
Thursday’s child has far to go.
Friday’s child is loving and giving,
Saturday’s child works hard for a living.
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day,
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
This catchy rhyme turned boring calendar lessons into something kids would remember, which is why it’s been around since the 1830s.
At first glance, this poem seems fun and lighthearted, but some lines (like Wednesday’s “woe”) may seem a little harsh!
Does your birth day’s line match who you are? Or does it miss the mark? Let’s find out what these old words might really say about you.
Day-by-Day Personality Traits
The poem assigns a trait to each day of the week. Some sound wonderful, while others might raise an eyebrow. Let’s explore what each day might say about you.
Monday – Fair of Face
Monday babies are said to have a natural charm that draws people in. Their friendly nature makes them easy to like and remember.
Traditional Meaning: Monday-born people are considered beautiful, charming, and attractive.
Modern Take: Beauty isn’t just about looks—it’s about charisma! Many Monday-borns are seen as friendly, likable, and naturally charismatic.
Personality Traits:
- Warm and approachable
- Social and outgoing
- Has an eye for aesthetics
Famous Monday’s Children: Marilyn Monroe, Bill Clinton
Tuesday – Full of Grace
Tuesday children move through life with natural elegance. They handle tough situations with a calm that others admire.
Traditional Meaning: Tuesday’s children are believed to be graceful, elegant, and poised.
Modern Take: This can also mean they are kind, balanced, and emotionally strong.
Personality Traits:
- Naturally well-mannered
- Moves with ease and confidence
- Good at making peace in difficult situations
Famous Tuesday’s Children: Beyoncé, Abraham Lincoln
Wednesday – Full of Woe
Wednesday babies feel things deeply. They see the world through a unique lens that others might miss.
Traditional Meaning: “Woe” means sadness or troubles, making Wednesday’s child seem unlucky.
Modern Take: Instead of being “woeful,” Wednesday-borns are often deep thinkers, creative souls, and emotionally intelligent individuals.
Personality Traits:
- Thoughtful and introspective
- Strong emotional awareness
- Passionate about art, writing, or music
Famous Wednesday’s Children: Shakespeare, Elon Musk
Thursday – Has Far to Go
Thursday, children aim high and rarely settle. They push past limits others accept.
Traditional Meaning: Thursday’s children are destined for great achievements and a long journey in life.
Modern Take: This could mean they have big dreams, strong ambition, and a drive to succeed.
Personality Traits:
- Determined and hardworking
- Always pushing forward
- Strong leadership qualities
Famous Thursday’s Children: Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs
Friday – Loving and Giving
Friday babies have hearts of gold. They find joy in helping others and building connections.
Traditional Meaning: Friday-born people are kind-hearted, generous, and affectionate.
Modern Take: They are natural caregivers, always helping others and spreading positivity.
Personality Traits:
- Compassionate and selfless
- Has a strong sense of empathy
- Loves bringing people together
Famous Friday’s Children: Mother Teresa, Leonardo DiCaprio
Saturday – Works Hard for a Living
Saturday children have a strong work ethic. They finish what they start and rarely cut corners.
Traditional Meaning: Saturday-born individuals are believed to be hardworking and responsible.
Modern Take: These people may have a strong work ethic and high levels of discipline.
Personality Traits:
- Reliable and disciplined
- Takes pride in their efforts
- Willing to go the extra mile
Famous Saturday’s Children: Winston Churchill, Barack Obama
Sunday – Bonny and Blithe
Sunday babies bring light into dark places. Their positive outlook helps them find the good in any situation.
Traditional Meaning: Sunday’s children are cheerful, lucky, and full of joy.
Modern Take: Many Sunday-borns are seen as optimistic, positive, and natural leaders.
Personality Traits:
- Happy-go-lucky attitude
- Brings sunshine wherever they go
- Naturally lucky and successful
Famous Sunday’s Children: Prince Harry, Serena Williams
Does your birth day description fit you? Maybe, maybe not—but it’s still fun to think about!
Variations of the Poem
Over the years, different versions of this poem have popped up. Some changes include:
- Wednesday’s child being called “wise” instead of “woeful” to sound more positive.
- Thursday’s child being “strong and bold” rather than “has far to go.”
- Some versions change “Sunday’s child is good and gay” to “good and bright” to fit the modern language. It’s clear that meanings evolve over time!
Like many old rhymes passed down through generations, the Monday’s Child poem has changed as it traveled through time and across regions. Here are some interesting variations that show how the poem evolved:
The New England Schoolhouse Variation (1880s)
Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Wednesday’s child is loving and giving,
Thursday’s child works hard for a living,
Friday’s child is full of woe,
Saturday’s child has far to go,
But the child born on the Sabbath day,
Is fair and wise and good in every way.
This version completely switches the traits for Wednesday and Friday children! It also changes Sunday’s description to include wisdom.
The Yorkshire Nursery Variation (1870s)
Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Wednesday’s child fears not the night,
Thursday’s child has great delight,
Friday’s child is loving and giving,
Saturday’s child must work for a living,
But the child born on the Sabbath day,
Is blithe and bonny and good and gay.
Here, Wednesday’s child becomes brave rather than woeful, while Thursday’s child is joyful instead of having “far to go.”
The Digital Age Version (2010s)
Monday’s child is quick to tweet,
Tuesday’s child is cool and neat,
Wednesday’s child thinks outside the box,
Thursday’s child breaks through all locks,
Friday’s child connects and shares,
Saturday’s child shows that they care,
But the child born on a Sunday fair,
Has time to breathe and be aware.
This modern take reflects our connected world and values creativity and mindfulness.
These changes show how communities adjust old sayings to match their values and times.
What started as a simple memory tool became a cultural artifact that each generation reshaped in its own image.
Fun Ways to Use the Monday’s Child Poem Today
This centuries-old rhyme still finds practical uses in modern life:
For Parents: Some expectant parents check which day traits they prefer and consider this when scheduling planned deliveries.
In Education: Teachers use the poem to make learning weekdays fun. Children love finding which day’s personality matches theirs.
Creative Gifts: Personalized artwork featuring just the recipient’s birth day line makes thoughtful presents for: Baby showers, Birthday celebrations or Nursery decorations
Party Themes: Host gatherings where guests group by birth days and compare traits.
Family Activities: Compare family members’ birth days to see which traits run in the family.
Though just folklore, the poem offers a playful lens to view ourselves and others.
How Accurate is the Monday’s Child Poem? A Fun Self-Test
Curious about whether this centuries-old poem got it right? Let’s put it to the test!
Take a moment to think about your own personality traits.
Are you naturally graceful like a Tuesday child? Hard-working like a Saturday baby? Or perhaps you have the sunny disposition of a Sunday-born person?
Compare your actual traits with what the poem says about your birth day. You might be surprised to find some strange coincidences—or amusing mismatches!
Now, think about your closest friends or family members. Do you know which days they were born on? See if their personalities match their assigned traits.
The results might make you wonder if there’s something to this old poem after all. Or perhaps it’s just vague enough that we can all find bits that seem to fit!
What do you think? Does your birth day description match who you are? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear if the poem got it right for you!
Final Thoughts!
While science doesn’t support the idea that your birth day shapes your personality, this old rhyme has survived for good reason. It connects us to the past and gives us a fun way to think about ourselves.
Whether your birthday traits match you perfectly or completely miss the mark, the poem reminds us how much we enjoy finding patterns and meaning in our lives.
So, which day were you born on? Does it describe the real you? Remember, you’re more than an old nursery rhyme—but it’s still fun to check!
Share this post with friends and family to see if their birth days match their personalities.
Tag someone born on Wednesday to see if they really are “full of woe” or a Sunday child who’s truly “bonny and blithe.”
