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- In Greek mythology Ceyx, son of Eosphorus and the king of Thessaly was married to Alcyone. They were very happy together, but after Ceyx perished in a shipwreck, Alcyone threw herself into the sea. Out of compassion, the gods changed them into the halcyon birds. When Alcyone made her nest on the beach waves threatened to destroy it, Aeolus restrained his winds and made the waves be calm during seven days in each year, so she could lay her eggs. These became known as the "halcyon days", when storms never occur. 'Halcyon days' has since become a term used to describe a peaceful time. (Ovid Metamorphoses XI, 410ff. et passim).
