Seen growing wild all over Crete, the Sea Squill, or Sea Onion, is a bulb the Greeks hang above their doorways on New Years Eve for good health and luck. Despite being uprooted it will continue to grow and blossom, which made people think it had magical powers. After new year the bulb is take inside and keept it in the house.
Later in the summer it is easily recognised by its distinctive tall stems covered with small white flowers.
Chania harbour on a calm January day.
The Halcyon Days.
From halcyon, from Latin Alcyone, from Ancient Greek Ἀλκυόνη (Alkuónē), daughter of Aeolus and wife of Ceyx. When her husband died in a shipwreck, Alcyone threw herself into the sea whereupon the gods transformed them both into halcyon birds (kingfishers). When Alcyone made her nest on the beach, waves threatened to destroy it. Aeolus restrained his winds and kept them calm during seven days in each year, so she could lay her eggs. These became known as the "halcyon days," when storms do not occur.
(WIki)
