The full Pink Moon may have already passed this year, but it’s one of those lunar events that comes around every April—and consistently draws attention for both its name and its meaning.
These photos submitted by aspiring photographer Zean Kurt Balboa show the Pink Moon’s beauty:
Photo: @shot.by.zk/Instagram
If you missed it this time, don’t worry. The Pink Moon isn’t a one-off event, and its significance goes beyond a single night.
What is the Pink Moon?
The Pink Moon is simply the name given to April’s full moon. Despite what the name suggests, the Moon doesn’t actually appear pink.
The term comes from seasonal traditions recorded by The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which draws from Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. These names usually reflect what’s happening in nature during a specific time of year.
Photo: @shot.by.zk/Instagram
In this case, “pink” refers to Phlox subulata, or creeping phlox—an early spring flower known for its bright pink blooms.
Why it’s also called the Paschal Moon
April’s full moon is also known as the Paschal Moon, especially in Christian traditions. It’s defined as the first full moon after the spring equinox, and it’s used to determine the date of Easter each year.
Easter is observed on the Sunday following this full moon, which is why the holiday moves around the calendar annually.
Photo: @shot.by.zk/Instagram
Other names for April’s full moon
Across different cultures, April’s full moon reflects the shift into spring:
- Breaking Ice Moon (Algonquin)
- Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable (Dakota)
- Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit)
- Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala)
- Frog Moon (Cree)
- Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe)
Photo: @shot.by.zk/Instagram
Many of these names point to the same idea: nature waking up after winter.
When can you see it again?
The Pink Moon appears once every April, so even if you missed it this year, it will return next year under similar conditions.
Like most full moons, it rises around sunset and is easiest to spot when the sky is clear and the horizon is unobstructed. Catching it as it rises can make it appear larger and warmer in color due to the moon illusion.
ALSO READ: Here’s Your Horoscope for the Week of April 6
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
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