What is the origin of the name Apollonian Occasions?

Naxos Island has a long and rich history, as it was always an island of strategic and commercial interest for many different nations, making it today a sightseeing jewel of the Cyclades Islands Cluster. The influence of the various rulers is apparent in the sheer abundance and variety of historical sites.

The most famous landmark of Greece's and the emblem of the Naxos island is the Portara, a massive marble doorway that leads nowhere. The Portara stands on the islet of Palatia, which was once a hill and in the 3rd millennium BC was the acropolis for a nearby Cycladic settlement. Everywhere you go you see the Portara… It was built during the 6th century B. C. (530 - 540 B. C.) under Lygdamis as a marble temple of Apollo. It is believed that Portara temple should have been dedicated to the god Apollo because the Portara is located to the west and faces exactly toward Delos which is the birthplace island of Apollon.

Apollo's birthplace, was begun about 530 BC by the tyrant Lygdamis, who said he would make Naxos's buildings the highest and most glorious in Greece. He was overthrown in 506 BC, and the temple was never completed; by the 5th and 6th centuries AD it had been converted into a church. Under Venetian and Turkish rule it was slowly dismembered, so the marble could be used to build the castle.The gate, built with four blocks of marble, each 16 feet long and weighing 20 tons, was so large it couldn't be demolished, so it remains until today along with the temple floor. Later, in the Middle Ages, when it was a habit building churches in the old temples' area, a Christian church was temporarily erected behind the Portara. Nowadays it is a very popular place with foreign people getting married.

Apollon, sun of Zeus and Leto, was the god protecting music and poets. He is best known for interest in music, and received a lyre from Hermes as compensation for cows Hermes had stolen from him. Hermes also gave him a musical pipe in exchange for a golden staff. His tree was the laurel. The crow was his bird. The dolphin was his animal.

Once upon a time there was an excellent lyre skilled player called Arion who about the year 600 BCE, was court musician at Periander's palace in Corinth. Arion was such a good musician that he soon became renowned and gradually accumulated a great deal of wealth. While he was making a voyage was attacked by the sailors, who wanted to kill him and to steal his money: when they surrounded him with the drawn swords, Arion asked and got to may sing for the last time. Apollo listened and was very pleased with its wonderful songs of praise to him (Apollo.) His song attracted a flock of dolphins and the poet, moved by the desperation, threw himself in the sea: one of the dolphins took him on its back and brought him save and sound to shore. In Apollo's honor, Arion had a little statue of the dolphin made and placed in the temple as a memento of the experience. Apollo later placed this statue of the dolphin among the stars (constellations) so that all mankind could see the brave and friendly little dolphin forever along with Arion and his lyre. This story probably gave rise to the widespread boy-on-a-dolphin motif in classical art - a variation of the very much earlier myth of the sun-god Baal Hamon.

In Greece the dolphin was the Sacred Fish, the creature being of as much religious significance there as a fish afterwards became among the early Christians, and it was the emblem of philanthropy and service by the Greeks and Romans. A well established tradition, attested by ancient authors of natural history as well as poets, also associates the dolphin with love of music. This tradition accounts for the correspondence noted in the constellations between the number of stars in the constellation and the nine Muses. The number of stars comprising Delphinus (dolphin) is nine; the Dolphin has one star on the mouth; two on the dorsal fin; three on the ventral fins; one on the back; two on the tail. The total is nine. Because the number of stars (in Delphinus) corresponds to the number of Muses, this animal is said to be fond of music.

Apollonian Occasions got its name from god Apollo. The company's logo symbolizes the lyre of Apollo who played it so skillfully along with the laurel branch which was his favor tree. The right side of the logo depicts the god playing his lyre and stand on a dolphin. Apollonian Occasions' founder was born and raised on the Island of Naxos. She created this business and opened a doorway between her island - Naxos and the USA and she provides to the people in the US and all over the world the opportunity to get unique and elegant products, create memorable and unforgettable special events and enjoy them in an easy and affordable way that has not been possible until now. By doing so, she provides to everybody the same kind of enjoyment and appreciation she experienced while in Naxos.

Apollonian Occasions's products are creative and resourceful. Wedding favors and decorations are only limited by your imagination. Here you will find unique gift favor ideas for weddings, Bridal-Baby Showers, Anniversary celebrations, Friendship, Birthdays, Christenings-Baptisms, Engagements, Sweet 16, Quinceanera, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, memorial tributes and more. Wonderful additions for any occasion, economical decor accents, inexpensive wrappings and favor decorations to coordinate your special occasion's colors. By using our favor ideas,centerpieces, ornaments, accessories and supplies and your own time and talent, you can save big on a usual special occasion event and the satisfaction that comes with bringing your own ideas to life will be priceless.

We are here to help you keep the memories of your party alive forever!!!

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~Orison Swett Marden

The Founder

Helen Marakis