April showers bring May flowers, and that might just be why the full moon in May is known as the Flower Moon.

The Moon is Incredible

The moon is an incredible celestial body that moves through phases of light and dark depending on its alignment with the Earth and the sun and about every 29 days, we are presented with a beautiful full moon shining down on us, and the next one is happening soon!

A Moon of Many Names

Over the centuries, the moon has played an important part in civilizations and each full moon has come to be recognized for its significance. In October, for example, it is known as a Full Hunter's Moon because it was the full moon that would coincide with hunting and gathering food to store for the impending winter months.

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Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Unsplash
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Howling at the Moon

January, for example, is known as the Full Wolf Moon because it is believed that is when it is easiest to overhear a wolf's howl. Each full moon has its own special name with its own special meaning.

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The April Pink Moon

The same is true for April as well. In April, the full moon is known as the Full Pink Moon and has been called that name because it coincides with the blooming of some of the first flowers of spring like creeping flox. It is also sometimes known as the Peony Moon too.

May is a Full Flower Moon

The May full moon is known as the Flower Moon. Aptly named for the flowers that inevitably bloom after the April showers. The full moon in May goes by many other names too, according to the Farmer's Almanac, including the Budding Moon, Planting Moon, Egg Laying Moon, and Frog Moon. As you can imagine many of these names go back to Native American tribes.

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Photo by Leandra Rieger on Unsplash
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 When to See the Full Flower Moon

If you're ready to head out and do a little moon gazing, you're going to need to know when the moon will reach its peak fullness. To see the Full Flower Moon in its full glory, you will want to look up on the evenings of May 4th and May 5th. The moon will reach full illumination during daylight hours on the 5th.

Something Extra Special

If you want to see something extra special, this location in Kentucky is one of only two places in the world to see the phenomenon known as a moonbow, and the Full Slower Moon is the perfect time to visit!

LOOK: 31 breathtaking images from NASA's public library

In 2017, NASA opened the digital doors to its image and video library website, allowing the public to access more than 140,000 images, videos, and audio files. The collection provides unprecedented views of space. Stacker reviewed the collection to select 31 of the most breathtaking images, including the first from the James Webb Space Telescope. Keep reading to see these stunning images, curated with further information about the captured scenes.