Language/Modern-greek-1453/Culture/Alkyonides-days-in-Greek-Mythology
Alkyonides days in Greek Mythology
The "Alkyonid Days," also known as the "Halcyon Days," refer to a period of unseasonably warm and sunny weather that occurs in the midst of winter. This phenomenon, which brings a temporary oasis of calm and mild weather, is steeped in ancient Greek mythology and is named after the mythical figure Alcyone (or Alkyone).
According to Greek mythology, Alcyone was the daughter of Aeolus, the king of the winds. She was blissfully married to a man named Ceyx (or Kyikas), and the couple lived a life of happiness and contentment. However, their love for each other was so profound that they began to compare themselves to the divine couple, Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of the gods. In their adoration for each other, they even referred to themselves by the names of these deities, an act of hubris that did not go unnoticed by the gods.
One fateful day, Ceyx decided to go fishing, despite the desperate pleas of Alcyone, who feared for his safety. Tragically, her fears were realized when Ceyx never returned from his fishing expedition, having perished at sea. Devastated by the loss of her beloved, Alcyone was consumed by grief and ultimately took her own life in her sorrow.
Touched by the tragic love story of Alcyone and Ceyx, the gods decided to transform the couple into birds. Alcyone was transformed into a seabird with the characteristics of a kingfisher, known for its fish-like tail and vibrant plumage. Ceyx, on the other hand, was transformed into a bird that dives into the sea to catch its prey, possibly resembling a seagull.
As the myth continues, Alcyone built her nest near the shore, but the turbulent waves of the sea repeatedly destroyed it, preventing her from safely incubating her eggs. Seeing her plight, Zeus took pity on the heartbroken bird and granted her a reprieve from the harsh winter weather. He commanded the winds to cease and the seas to calm for a period of fourteen days—seven days before the winter solstice and seven days after—allowing Alcyone to safely incubate her eggs in peace.
This mythical period of calm and warmth in the midst of winter came to be known as the "Alkyonid Days" or "Halcyon Days." It is said that during this time, the weather is uncharacteristically mild, and the seas are tranquil, providing a brief respite from the harshness of the season. The term "halcyon days" has since entered the English language as an idiom, symbolizing a period of peace, happiness, and tranquility.
Thus, the "Alkyonid Days" are not only a meteorological phenomenon but also a poetic and symbolic expression of love, loss, and the possibility of solace amidst life's storms. The myth of Alcyone and Ceyx serves as a timeless reminder of the power of love and the capacity for compassion, even among the gods.
Αλκυονίδες Ημέρες
H «όαση» των ηλιόλουστων και θερμών ημερών, στην καρδιά του χειμώνα, είναι γνωστή ως η περίοδος των λεγόμενων " Αλκυονίδων Ημερών ".
Η ονομασία τους προέρχεται από τη μυθική Αλκυόνη, κόρη του βασιλιά των ανέμων Αίολου, που ζούσε ευτυχισμένη με τον σύζυγό της Κύηκα,
ο οποίος σύμφωνα με το μύθο μια μέρα πήγε για ψάρεμα, παρά τα παρακαλετά της Αλκυόνης να μην πάει και δεν γύρισε ποτέ.
Στο αρχαίο έργο «Αλκυών», που αποδίδεται στο Λουκιανό, η Αλκυόνη αναζητούσε για μέρες μάταια το πτώμα του με αποτέλεσμα οι θεοί να την λυπηθούν
και να τη μεταμορφώσουν στο ομώνυμο πουλί.
Σύμφωνα με άλλη εκδοχή του μύθου, η Αλκυόνη μόλις είδε το πλοίο του να βυθίζεται από τους δυνατούς ανέμους μέσα στην απελπισία της έπεσε
από ένα βράχο και σκοτώθηκε. Οι θεοί εντυπωσιασμένοι από την αγάπη τους, τους μεταμόρφωσαν στα ομώνυμα πουλιά.
Η Αλκυόνη γεννούσε τα αυγά της στην ακροθαλασσιά, όπου όμως τα νεογέννητα της παρασύρονταν και χάνονταν από τα κύματα.
Ο Δίας κάποτε τη λυπήθηκε και αποφάσισε να στέλνει κατά την εποχή που η Αλκυόνη επωάζει τα αυγά της ημέρες καλοκαιρίας
και διέταξε τον Αίολο να συγκρατεί αυτές τις ημέρες τους ανέμους.
Author
- Ευγενική χορηγία που στοχεύει να βοηθήσει μαθητές ή μη, απανταχού της Γης, που επιδίδονται στην εκμάθηση της ελληνικής γλώσσας!
- Contribution bénévole visant à aider les personnes, partout dans le monde, qui sont engagées dans l'apprentissage de la langue grecque !
- Voluntary contribution aimed at helping people, all over the world, who are committed to learning the Greek language!
Other Lessons
- Sapphô
- The Rapture of Europe
- Shield of Achilles
- Valentine’s day quotes
- Greek Proverbs
- Narcissism
- Moussaka
- Meaning of the word Periplus
- Narrative voice in Greek
- Alexithymia