A pink moon sounds like a magical and rare occurrence; however, it happens every year.
The moon of each month has a different ancient name that relates to seasonal happenings.
The magical pink moon is a symbol of spring and changes happening at this time of year.
In this article, we will look at what a pink moon is.
What is a Pink Moon?
A Pink Moon is the first full moon of April.
It is also the first full moon after the beginning of the March equinox.
The Pink Moon signifies that we have fully entered spring, and everything is regrowing.
The Pink Moon signifies the bloom and growth of the flora that follow the thaw of winter.
Why call it a Pink Moon?
It is called a Pink Moon because it arrives during the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere.
The moon itself is not pink, but the elements around that time of year are pink.
In April, spring is in full swing, and flowers are in full bloom.
In particular, in North America, a plant called phlox or moss phlox is in full bloom.
The ground is covered in a pink blanket, and this is where the name comes from.
Other parts of the northern hemisphere have pink blossoms, such as the cherry blossom found in Asia’s northern parts, such as Japan and South Korea.
Who first called it a Pink Moon?
The lunar cycle was first used as an ancient way of keeping track of the time of year.
A lunar cycle is 29.5 days, and this would have been considered a full month. There are 13 full moons in each lunar cycle.
The moons were given names to reflect relevant seasonal events in nature and the natural world.
This is why the full moon of April is called the Pink Moon.
By naming moons, it allowed humans to keep track of the seasons.
It is thought that the Pink Moon name stems from Native American culture as phlox is a common plant found in North America.
Is it always called a Pink Moon?
Although the term Pink Moon is the most common name for the first full moon of April, there are varying names.
Other names for the first full moon of April are Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, and Fish Moon.
The Egg moon name comes from the concept of spring being the time of year for birth, and eggs symbolize life.
Sprouting Grass Moon comes from Sioux culture as at this time of year that the red grass would start to sprout.
The Native American tribe called Shoshone named the full moon of April the fish moon.
This is because the rivers have completely thawed in spring, and the fish will start to swim upstream.
In Conclusion
A Pink Moon is a full moon that occurs in April, and it is named after the pink flora of the time of year.
Although the moon itself is not pink, there are many elements in nature at this time of year, such as phlox blossom, which turns the ground pink.
The other nicknames for a Pink Moon symbolize life and the rebirth of nature after a harsh winter.
