Halcyon birds, according to Greek mythology, bring us days of peace and calm around Christmas time--halcyon days. The bird in the legend is the European Kingfisher.

Halcyon Days and Christmas

Traditionally, halcyon days fall between December 14th and December 27th, the weeks surrounding the winter solstice (the day when the hours of daylight and darkness are equal, the first day of winter). The term halcyon days signifies days of calm, peace, and tranquility—our hearts’ desire. It’s a desire that those who celebrate Christmas focus on at that time of year, so although halcyon days weren’t originally associated with Christmas, it’s appropriate that they encompass Christmas day.

What many people don’t realize is that a familiar bird is central to the symbolism of halcyon days: Greek legend has it that a kingfisher is responsible for those days of calm.

The Story of the Halcyon Birds, According to Bulfinch

In Greek mythology, Alcyone (also spelled Halcyone) was the daughter of the God Aeolus, controller of the winds. Alcyone married Ceyx and the couple loved each other deeply, but their happiness ended shortly after the death of Ceyx’s brother: Ceyx, convinced that the gods had turned against him, decided to leave Alcyone and sail to Ionia, where he could consult the oracle of Apollo, god of prophecy, the sun, healing, poetry, and music.

Alcyone was opposed to Ceyx’s journey, fearing that something terrible would happen to him. She begged him not to go, but Ceyx was determined. He set sail, but didn’t get far before a terrible storm destroyed the ship—everyone on board drowned in the Aegean Sea. No news of the wreck came back to Alcyone, but when Ceyx did not return, she asked the gods for a dream to tell her what had happened.

The dead Ceyx visited Alcyone in a dream, and she knew that he was drowned. Grief stricken, she wandered down to the shore where she had last seen him. At the same time, the waves carried Ceyx’s body to her. She threw herself into the water but the gods, seeing her terrible grief, lifted her up and turned the couple into birds—Halcyon birds, who mate each year at the start of winter.

The female Halcyon bird is said to build a nest of fish bones that floats on the sea, and she tends the nest for the seven days that have the winter solstice at the center. During this time, Aeolus keeps the winds away and the waters are calm, so that his grandchildren are kept safe.

What is the Halcyon Bird?

Pliny the Elder, who lived and wrote during the first century, recorded the appearance of the Halcyon bird: a small bird with a sea-blue back and a reddish breast. It had white feathers on the neck and a long beak. This description fits the European Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis.

The European Kingfisher is found throughout Europe except in the northern latitudes, and also in northern Africa and much of Asia. It lives near fresh water, especially where the water is calm and slow moving, and where tall river banks provide nesting sites. The European Kingfisher eats fish, amphibians, and insects that frequent water sources. In Europe, it nests in the spring.

Ironically, the scientific name of the Belted Kingfisher, found throughout virtually all of North America, is Ceryle alcyon. Greek mythology doesn’t tell us whether this bird, too, can usher in halcyon days.

Other Christmas Birds:

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Wild Turkey, Christmas Turkey

The Christmas Goose

Sources:

"Ceyx and Halcyone; or, The Halcyon Birds." Bulfinch Mythology Age of Fable: Stories of Gods and Heroes.

"Kingfisher." Avibirds: Online Bird Guide to Europe.