Names of Full Moons

Who named the full moons?

Native Americans’ full Moon names were created to help different tribes track the seasons. Think of it as a “nickname” for the Moon!

Why did they name the moons?

The early Native Americans did not record time by using the present day calendar. Many tribes kept track of time by observing the seasons and lunar months, although there were many variations.

Each tribe that named the moons had its own names. The names used by one tribe might differ from those used by another tribe or the same name might represent a different time period. The name was often a description relating to a particular activity or event that usually occurred during that time in their location.

How was the name chosen?

May's Full Flower Moon, marks a time of increasing fertility with temperatures warm enough for safely bearing young, a near end to late frosts, and plants in bloom. May’s abundant blooms give its full moon the name Flower Moon in many cultures.

The Flower Moon

The Flower Moon of May is sometimes referred to as the Corn Planting Moon because corn is ready to plant. Other names for this full moon include the Hare Moon, because rabbits and hares are reproducing rapidly at this time,the Mothers Moon, since Mother’s Day is in May and the Milk Moon.

Flower Moon 2011 May 17 11:09 TueFlower Moon 2012 May 6 03:35 SunFlower Moon 2013 May 25 04:25 SatFlower Moon 2014 May 14 19:16 WedFlower Moon 2015 May 4 03:42 MonFlower Moon 2016 May 21 21:15 SatFlower Moon 2017 May 10 21:43 WedFlower Moon 2018 May 29 14:20 TueFlower Moon 2019 May 18 21:11 SatFlower Moon 2020 May 7 10:45 Mon

Worm Moon

Worm Moon

March

The worm moon is called a worm moon because it appears when earthworms start to peek their heads out of the ground.

Worm Moon

At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to so ten and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. In some regions, this is also known as the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to low and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.

The Worm Moon of March was sometimes referred to by names associated with other signs of spring. The more northern Native American tribes knew the March full moon as the Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. Other names include the Chaste Moon and the Death Moon. Christian settlers also called this the Lenten Moon and considered it the last moon of winter.

Harvest Moon

The harvest moon occurs in either September or October.

Where did the harvest moon get its nameand origin?

The harvest moon got its name from Native American Tribes

FactsThe harvest moon is closest to the autumnal equinox. It rises several nights in a row or near sunset. The harvest moon rises 50 minutes later each year.

Other names the harvest moon goes by are Corn Moon

and Sun Shine Moon

It symbolizesNative Americans harvesting crops during this month.

snow moon

The snow moon occurs in February.

Because snow piles highest in February, t this moon is called the snow moon.

On average, February is the USA's snowiest month.

About once every 19 years, February has no full moon.

Usually this month is a time of snow and cold temperatures. This is the reason for the name snow moon. reason for the name snow moon.Usually this month is a time for snow and cold air temperatures, and this is the reason for the name snow moon.The Indians named the moon called

the snow moon.

The Snow moon or Full Snow moon is a traditional name for the full moon that occurs in February in North America. Storm moon, hunger moon, Little Famine moon, and Full Bony moon are other traditional names for this particular full moon

The Strawberry

Moon

When does the Strawberry Moon occur?

The Strawberry Moon occurs in June.

Other Names

In Europe the Strawberry Moon is called the Rose Moon because there aren’t strawberries in Europe. This moon is also known as the Hot Moon.

Why is the Strawberry Moon in June?

The Strawberry Moon is in June because that’s when most strawberries are picked . The Algonquin tribe named the moon.

What does the Strawberry Moon

Symbolize?

The Strawberry Moon symbolizes ripening fruit. It told the Native Americans that it was time to pick the

ripening fruit.

Interesting Facts● The next Strawberry Moon will happen on June 20th, 2016.● The last Strawberry Moon was on June 2nd, 2015.

The Wolf MoonOccurs in January

iIt is called the wolf moon because wolves howled outside of villages at this time.

This moon’s other names are

-the old moon

and the Yule moon.

This Moon

symbolizes

the wolves

that

howl at the

moon.

On January 2, 2018 the wolf moon will turn into a wolf supermoon which means it will get bigger.

There will be a lunar eclipse on January 31

2018

In 2019 there will

be a full wolf

blood moon which means it will turn red.

The Wet moon

When the wet moon occurs

The wet moon occurs when the moon goes straight down the horizon during winter and summer.

Other interesting facts

Some people say the wet moon looks like horns. People also think it looks like a “U”.

Also called a Cheshire moon is a lunar phase when the "horns" of the crescent moon point up at an angle, away from the horizon, so the moon's crescent takes on the appearance of a bowl or a smile. A wet moon occurs when the crescent moon is directly above the sun's (invisible) position below the horizon.

A wet moon

The Buck Moon

The Buck Moon occurs in the month of July

The Buck Moon symbolizes when the bucks begin to grow new antlers, which is the origin of its name.

The Native American people named the moon the Buck Moon because male deer, which shed their antlers every year, begin to regrow them in July.

The Thunder Moon named because of the numerous thunderstorms in July.

The Hay Moon named because of all the hay the farmers harvest in July.

Other names for the Buck Moon:

Interesting Facts:

● There is a Buck Moon art festival every year at Fulton Montgomery Community College.

PINK MOON

When does the pink moon occur?

The Pink Moon occurs in April

What is another name for the pink moon?

Other names for the Pink Moon are the Fish Moon, Egg Moon and Sprouting Grass Moon.

Why is the Pink Moon called the Pink Moon?

The Pink Moon is named because of the Pink Phlox, one of the first plants to flower each spring.

Who Named The Pink Moon?

The Northern Native Americans named the Pink Moon.

What does the Pink Moon symbolize?

The Pink Moon symbolizes the sprouting of seeds.

Sturgeon Moon

The fishing tribes are given credit for the naming of this Moon, since sturgeon, a large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water, were most readily caught during this month.

A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because, as the Moon rises, it appears reddish through any sultry haze. It was also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon.