The Pink Moon is the name given to the full moon that occurs in April. Despite the name, it doesn’t actually appear pink in color. The term comes from Native American and early Colonial American traditions, where each full moon of the year was given a name to help track the seasons.
The April full moon was called the Pink Moon because it coincided with the blooming of a wildflower called moss phlox or creeping phlox (Phlox subulata), which is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring and often has a pinkish hue.
Other Names for the Pink Moon
Different cultures had their own names for this moon:
- Sprouting Grass Moon (Algonquin)
- Egg Moon
- Fish Moon (coinciding with shad swimming upstream to spawn)
Astronomical Significance
It’s just like any other full moon in terms of its orbital and lighting behavior — fully illuminated by the sun as it sits opposite it in the sky.
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