Pl. -a. [late Gr. ἀνθήλιον, neut. of ἀνθήλιος, earlier ἀντήλιος, opposite to the sun, f. ἀντί over against + ἤλιος sun.] A luminous ring or nimbus seen (chiefly in alpine or polar regions) surrounding the shadow of the observer’s head projected on a cloud or fog bank opposite to the sun. As many as four such concentric rings have been seen, decreasing in brightness to the outer at 40° from the center.
1670. Phil. Trans., V. 1072. The Anthelion, observed by M. Hevelius Sept. 6, 1661, in which there were two coloured Arches of a circle.
1760. Swinton, ibid., LII. 94. A very distinguishable Mock-Sun, opposite to the true one, which I take to have been an Anthelion.
1859. Tennent, Ceylon, 72. Anthelia … may probably have suggested to the early painters the idea of the glory surrounding the heads of beatified saints.
