Posted: Feb 18, 2008, 1:40 PM CST
Manolito wrote:Halcyon is derived from the greek word Alcyoni/Alcyona wich is a bird and it can be used to mean "Golden". But since you already probably know all this, i will add a bit of mythology to it:
When Alkioneus was slain by Hercules, his 7 daughters threw themselves into the see in their desperation. Zeus took pitty on them and watching from above, he transformed them into birds--Alcyonides. When time came to give birth, they discovered that they were the only birds in ancient times that had to give birth to her little ones during the freezing winter. So they went up to mount Olympus and found Zeus where they explained their problem to him. Zeus being kind and considerate, aknowledged that indeed they had been unfavored and therefore he ordered that every year, between 23rd of December and 15th of January, there be sunshine so that Alcyon could lay her eggs.
And so it came to pass that ever since then, Central Greece takes a break from the hard winter and Alcyon can lay her eggs. And so it came to be known as the "Alcynides meres" (days of the Alcyona). And Alcyon lays her eggs. And Zeus was happy.
A good thing we now have Wikipedia and google
