Kingfisher

Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas
Size: 27cm x 22cm

There is a sudden migration of kingfishers around where I stay. I wonder why they are here as there is no big body of water here. It is indeed a strange sighting around this area. nevertheless it is always nice to see new species around here.

Do you also know that Kingfishers are known to be sacred in Polynesia and Greece. In Polynesia they are known to be the controller of waves and have venerable powers over the sea. In Greece, they are called Halcyons.

The name halcyon itself comes from the Greek goddess, Alcyone who was married to Ceyx. According to legend the couple were happily married but made the mistake of calling each other Zeus and Hera, which angered the real god Zeus who in bad temper killed Ceyx by sinking his ship with a thunderbolt.

On hearing this, Alcyone, wrought with grief, threw herself into the sea and drowned. Out of compassion, however, the gods later changed them both into beautiful flashing blue halcyon birds named after her and recognised in the kingfisher’s scientific name of Alcedo, after Alcyone.

In present day Greece, Halcyon days means having calm and nice weather.