Sci-tech

What does full moon in May aka 'Flower Moon' signify?

May's Flower Moon to be visible this week marking the fifth full moon of 2024

By  Web Desk   |  
May 19, 2024
Why did Native Americans name May's full moon 'Flower Moon'? — Unsplash

If you enjoy looking at the full moon, then brace yourselves because there's one right around the corner this month.

A full moon event occurs roughly every 29.5 days, completing one whole lunar phase cycle, according to Royal Museums Greenwich.

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However, sometimes there may be more than one full moon in a month because the modern calendar isn't quite in line with the moon's phases.

Nevertheless, the fast-approaching lunar event this month has its significance.

Significance of the 'Flower Moon' in May

The next full moon, set to be visible on Thursday, will mark this year's fifth. It will be visible at 1:53pm in the United Kingdom, in areas where with light pollution.

The full moon in May is called the "Flower Moon" because it marks the changes in seasons.

"For millennia, the moon was used to track the changes in seasons and to determine the best time for hunting, planting and harvesting," Patricia Skelton, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explained to Country Living.

The namegiven to the full moon per month symbolises something about nature or the weather conditions but the names differ from culture to culture.

However, the names commonly used today are Native American names.

They named May's full Moon the "Flower Moon" because it appears during spring when flowers begin to blossom.

It's also known as Mother’s Moon, Milk Moon, and Corn Planting Moon.


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