Villa Halcyon Days

Alkyonides emerai : Days of fine weather.

Hegesande tells the myth about them in his Memoirs as follows:

"They were the daughters of the giant Alkyoneus: Phosthonia, Anthe, Methone, Alkippa, Palene, Drimo, Asterie. When their father was slain by Heracles, they threw themselves into the sea, from Kanastraion, which is the peak of Pellene, and were transformed into halcyons (kingfishers) by Amphitrites. They were called Alkyones from their father. Windless days with a calm sea are called Alkyonides (Halcyon Days)"

The phrase Halcyon Days derives ultimately from the Ancient Greek legend of Alcyone. The myth of Ceyx and Alcyone describes how Alcyone pines all day by the shore where Ceyx was destined to return. Unfortunately Ceyx, who is referred to as the son of the morning star (a reference to the solstice), has died in a shipwreck. Alcyone finds this out, and throws herself into the sea. The gods feel pity for Ceyx and Alcyone, transforming them into Halcyon Birds. The first Halcyon days were those days in winter, on which Alcyone first lay her eggs. Her father Aeolus, god of the wind, calms the seas each year since so she can lay them again.

The phrase in now a literary commonplace used to mean prosperity, joy, liberation or tranquility.

The photo is of a Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon Senegalensis)

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