From mythology to astronomy: What is the origin of full moon names?

As we examine different cultures throughout history, the subtle connection between astronomy, mythology, and religion becomes clear. A good example of this is, are the names of the Full Moons that carry a rich cultural and historical tradition..

Even the division of the week into seven days has its origins in Babylon, where each day was associated with the Moon, Sun, or planets visible to the naked eye at certain times of the year.

This deep connection between the universe and everyday life shows us that celestial events have been an important part of the organization of time, as well as the creation of myths and beliefs, for different civilizations throughout human evolution.

In the event of a full moon, The names were inspired by the culture of the first native peoples of North America.at a time when day and date classification as we know it today did not yet exist.

For many tribes in the region, days and months were counted according to the seasons, but some also used the concept of observing the moon to calculate the period; for example, Depending on the tribe, a year can last up to 12 Full Moons.

“The cycle of lunar phases lasts almost a month, with 29.5 days, a period known as the synodic month. Therefore, a full moon usually occurs once every calendar month, but if a full moon occurs within the first two days of a particular month, a second full moon may also occur in the same month. This phenomenon, known as a ‘blue moon,’ occurs on average once every 33 months,” as Encyclopedia Britannica describes it.

Origin of Full Moon Names

The ancient original people used different names for the Full Moons; there could be 12 different names, or there could be 6 or 7. North American colonists adopted some of these native names for the Full Moon and applied them to the Gregorian calendar..

Before explaining each name, we must not forget the Blue Moon: a rare celestial event that occurs when two full moons occur in one month, or when a fourth full moon occurs in a season that normally has three full moons. This occurs every two and a half years, due to the lunar cycle of approximately 29.5 days.

according to Royal Museums GreenwichDifferent indigenous tribes used different words to classify the same period. In the case of the full moon, colonists mostly adopted the terminology used by the Algonquin tribes..

January – Wolf Moon

In the middle of winter, it was common to hear hungry wolves howling. This behavior inspired the name Lua do Lobo, reflecting the struggle to survive during the cold months.

February – Snow Month

The Snow Moon, known for the heavy snowfalls that occur during this period, symbolizes the harsh climate of the northern hemisphere. The harsh conditions have also led to the nickname ‘Hunger Moon’ due to food shortages during the event.

March – Worm Moon

With the arrival of spring, the soil melts and worms emerge, a natural phenomenon that attracts migratory birds. This rebirth of earthly life is celebrated as the Worm Moon.

April – Pink Moon

Although not pink in color, this Full Moon takes its name from the wildflower that blooms in early spring, Phlox subulata, popularly known as ‘pink moss’.

May – Flower Month

Representing the height of spring, the Flower Moon emphasizes the abundant blooming and renewal of nature.

June – Strawberry Month

The full moon in June is named after the strawberry harvest season. For the native North Americans, it was a signal to start picking these berries.

July – Deer Moon

In July, male reindeer begin to grow new antlers, hence the name Reindeer Bear, reflecting this cycle.

August – Sturgeon Month

At that time, the tribes observed that sturgeon was easier to catch in this month.

September – Harvest Month

This full moon, close to the autumnal equinox, provided additional light for farmers to work late, which is why it is also known as the Harvest Moon.

October – Hunter’s Moon

After the harvest, it was the ideal time to hunt and store food for the winter. The Hunter’s Moon provided better lighting and made it easier to search for animals.

November – Beaver Moon

There are two interpretations of the Beaver Moon: It was the time when beavers were active building their dams for the winter and also when traps were set to catch them.

December – The Cold Month

Symbolizing the beginning of winter, the Cold Moon represents the long nights and low temperatures that characterize December in the northern hemisphere.

Throughout our history, different civilizations have used the position of stars in the sky to determine the best times to plant and harvest as vegetation changes and seasons come and go. Much of the ancestral wisdom has been lost to the sands of time, further strengthening the commitment of future generations to preserving indigenous astronomy and its ancient knowledge.

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