Abstract:The names of the five planets are different in ancient China and Greece due to their different cultural backgrounds. Reference materials indicate that Chinese scientists named the planets according to the philosophy of Five Elements while western astronomers named them after the classical names of mythology. Through analysis of backgrounds of naming the five planets, this research paper explores geographical factors, people’s beliefs and social environments influencing the naming of the five planets in the East and the West. 

Key Words：the names of the planets; mythology; the Five Elements; cultural origins

中文摘要:古代希腊和中国古代天文学对五大行星都有不同命名，这种命名的不同根植于当时特殊的文化背景当中。相关资料显示希腊对五大行星的命名完全取材于神话中的人物，中国的取材却是来源于五行学说。本文分析了中西行星命名的背景来源，探究出影响中西行星命名的地理因素，思想因素和社会因素。

关键词：行星命名；神话；五行学说；文化来源