Baton Rouge Reporter

This April 13th at 00:24 UTC (6:24 PM Central Time), the sky will feature the full Pink Moon. During this celestial event, the Moon is positioned on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, resulting in its fully illuminated face. This particular full moon is named the Pink Moon by early Native American tribes, though it does not refer to the moon's color. Instead, the name is linked to the seasonal blooming of a wildflower called Phlox subulata, commonly known as creeping phlox or moss phlox, which also bears the name “moss pink.”

The full moon in April has been recognized by various other names. It is known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Growing Moon, and the Egg Moon. Coastal tribes often referred to it as the Fish Moon as it marks the period when the shad swims upstream to spawn.

The Algonquin people called it the Breaking Ice Moon, while it was dubbed the Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable by the Dakota, both names reflecting the melting ice and increased movement of spring. The Tlingit referred to it as the Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs, while the Oglala named it the Moon of the Red Grass Appearing, highlighting the onset of plant growth.

Additionally, some names relate to animal activities during this time. The Lakota called it the Moon When the Ducks Come Back, the Dakota named it the Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs, and for the Cree, it was known as the Frog Moon.