Halcyon (4:44)

Halcyon (pronounced /ˈhælsiən/), a term that originates from the Greek myth of Alcyone, is used most often to mean golden or marked by peace and prosperity.

The usage descended from the Greek language expression (ancient Greek: Ἁλκυονίδες ἡμέραι, Halkyonídes hēmérai; modern Greek: Αλκυονίδες ημέρες, Alkyonídes ēméres), meaning “days of the halcyon (kingfisher)” literally and “calm days” metaphorically.

The usage derives ultimately from the Ancient Greek legend of Alcyone. In the context of the legend, the halcyon is a type of kingfisher that builds its nest by the sea; the bird charms the winds and waves so that seas remain unusually calm during its nesting season, the seven days before and seven days after the winter solstice. There is more often than not a temporary improvement of the winter weather in Greece sometime during January. The myth of Ceyx and Alcyone describes how Alcyone, as recorded by Ovid, 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, not anything satanic), 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.