To what does halcyon best refer?
You may have heard the expression ‘halcyon days’ or enjoyed some halcyon weather. The notion of happiness or enjoyment is linked to this term, but many do not know its mythical origins. Halcyon originally referred (back around 1350AD) to a mythical bird said to breed about the time of the winter solstice in a nest which floated on the sea, and to have the power of calming the winds and waves.
A variety of kingfisher is called halcyon. But the word is mostly applied in reference to the sense of calm, for which the halcyon bird was responsible.
So halcyon days and halcyon weather are those experiences which are calm, peaceful and enjoyable. We all wish for such times. Sadly, there is no such bird with those mythical powers. However, there is one who has calmed the storm. 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ commanded a storm to stop, and it did. On another occasion Jesus walked on the water and when he came to His disciples, struggling in the boat, the storm was stilled.
So if you are in need of some ‘halcyon’ changes in your life, don’t go hunting kingfishers, but turn in prayer to the one who can still nature and human nature, bringing peace that passes understanding.
Tags: halcyon, halcyon days, logophile, mythical bird, mythical origins, Vocabulary, words
Leave a Reply