jour des Hyacinthies

le jour des Hyacinthies (FR) Hyacinthus' day. In Greek mythology, Hyacinth was a very handsome young man, Apollo's lover. He was accidentally struck and killed by a discus thrown by Apollo, who turned his blood into a flower (not the modern hyacinth), the pattern on the petals making the letters AIAI (alas!). Another version of the myth has Zephyr, god of the south wind, kill him out of jealousy of Apollo. Le jour des hyacinthies refers to a May celebration in honor of Hyacinth. (Louÿs)