Parhelion: the Name, the Phenomena of Nature
Q: What is a Parhelion?
A parhelion (plural: parhelia) is a sundog, an optic phenomena caused by the sun shining through ice in (usually cirrus) clouds. The ice particles diffract the light to form a brilliant rondure to one side of the sun. Parhelia, by their nature, almost always appear in pairs.
Q: Why do you call yourself Parhelion?
I think parhelia are a nice metaphor for single-gender relationships forming within often hostile cultures. The name also resonates with my own experiences.
Q: So, what does any of this have to do with the picture?
Nothing: the lights in the picture are will 'o the wisps, not parhelia. I like the illustration and wanted an excuse to use it.
Page Created April 12, 2004. Last Updated April 18, 2004
