Halcyon Days

Posted by Nik on October 30, 2003

The phrase comes from Greek mythology. Halcyon days are a few days during the winter (mid-January) when the weather is usually warm almost as summer. At least in Greece.
In a nutshell, Halcyon was married to a fisherman, a very loving, happy couple living on an island. She had just given birth. One cold winter day he went fishing during a fierce storm. He drowned leaving the family in sorrow. Halcyon couldn't stop crying. The gods (most probably Zeus) felt sorry for her and transformed her to a bird and decided that thereafter during the hatching of the halcyon's eggs the weather would be good.

• Halcyon Days Lewis 31/October/03