Ceyx

se'lks, in Greek mythology, the son of Hesperus, the day star. Ceyx, in the most common version of the story, was king of Thessaly, happy with his devoted wife Halcyone, daughter of Aeolus. Ceyx becomes alarmed by certain direful prodigies following the death of his brother, and decides to make a voyage to Ionia to consult the oracle of Apollo. Halcyone begs him to remain at home or to take her with him, for she has a presentiment of evil. Ceyx longs for her companionship, but, dreading to expose her to the dangers of the voyage, he refuses and sets out alone. His vessel is overtaken by a storm and wrecked. Ceyx is drowned. Meanwhile Halcyone spends her days in prayers for the safety of her husband and makes preparations for his return. Juno finally takes pity on her and sends a dream to announce to her the fate of Ceyx. In the morning Halcyone seeks the shore where she bade her husband farewell. While looking out over the sea, striving to recall every incident of the parting, her husband's body is borne in upon the waves. As she starts to grasp it, the gods, in pity, change husband and wife into a pair of kingfishers, whose affection for each other has ever since been proverbial. Another version of the same tale represents Ceyx and Halcyone as presumptuous enough to call themselves Zeus and Hera. In punishment the gods changed them into birds. See Halcyone