Alcyone
Queen of Trachis who was transformed into a kingfisher bird alongside her devoted husband Ceyx
The Legend of Alcyone
Alcyone was the daughter of Aeolus, god of the winds, and the devoted wife of Ceyx, king of Trachis. The couple were so happy and so deeply in love that they playfully called each other Zeus and Hera, which angered the real gods. When Ceyx sailed across the sea to consult an oracle, his ship was destroyed in a terrible storm sent by Zeus, and he drowned. Alcyone, unaware of the disaster, waited faithfully on the shore. She prayed to Hera, who sent her a dream revealing the truth. When Alcyone found Ceyx's body washed up on the beach, she threw herself into the sea in grief. The gods, moved by their love, transformed both husband and wife into kingfisher birds. Aeolus calmed the winter seas for seven days each year so Alcyone could nest on the waves, creating the halcyon days.
Parents
Aeolus
Symbols
Fun Fact
The English expression halcyon days, meaning a period of calm and happiness, derives directly from Alcyone's story
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Ceyx and Alcyone
🗡 herotransformation
King and queen who loved each other so deeply the gods transformed them into kingfisher birds to be together after death.
Alcyone
🌿 nymphNymph who became the kingfisher
Alcyone and her husband Ceyx called themselves Zeus and Hera; as punishment, both were transformed into kingfisher birds — but their love endured.
Peleus
🗡 heroheroism
King of Phthia, Argonaut, and father of Achilles who wrestled the shape-shifting sea goddess Thetis to win her as his bride.
Cycnus of Liguria
🗡 heroGrief, Transformation, Swan
Ligurian king and kinsman of Phaethon transformed into a swan while mourning along the river Eridanus.
Tereus
🗡 heroKing who was transformed into a hoopoe
Tereus was a Thracian king who married Procne, then assaulted her sister Philomela and cut out her tongue — the sisters' revenge and transformation is one of mythology's darkest tales.
Peleus
🗡 heroMortal who married a goddess
The king of Phthia who wrestled and won the sea-nymph Thetis, fathering Achilles — the greatest warrior of the Trojan War.
Tereus
🗡 herocrime
Thracian king who raped Philomela, cut out her tongue, and was transformed into a hoopoe bird.
Tereus and Philomela
🗡 herovengeance, transformation
The myth of a Thracian king who assaulted his sister-in-law and cut out her tongue, only for the sisters to exact gruesome revenge.
Periclymenos
🗡 heroShape-shifting, combat
Grandson of Poseidon who could change shape at will and sailed with the Argonauts
Cepheus
🗡 heroNone recorded
King of Aethiopia who nearly sacrificed his daughter Andromeda to a sea monster
Ino
🗡 heromadness
Theban princess who raised the infant Dionysus, was driven mad by Hera, and leaped into the sea to become the goddess Leucothea.
Harpalyce
🗡 heroFemale Warrior, Revenge, Transformation
Thracian princess raised as a warrior who was transformed into a bird after a cycle of horrific revenge.