Decan
/ˈdiː.kən/noun
Either of the ten-day divisions of the ancient Egyptian calendar or one of the 36 astrological divisions of the zodiac used in Hellenistic astrology.
Did you know?Decans originated in ancient Egyptian astronomy as star groups used to mark the night hours, and later became a core tool in Hellenistic astrology for timing and planetary influence.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Egypt
Egyptian
ḏḫn
“A star group used in calendrical and nocturnal timekeeping.”
3rd Century BCE
Greek
dekanos
“A ten-day period or a division of the zodiac associated with astrology.”
Late Latin
Latin
decanus
“Leader of ten; also used in administrative and ecclesiastical senses.”
Middle French
French
décan
“A ten-day period; later, an astrological decan.”
Modern English
English
decan
“A ten-day division or an astrological division of a zodiac sign.”