Buck Moon

Buck Moon Rises

July’s Full Moon: What’s in a Name?

That which we call a full moon, by any other name would still be a full moon. Shakespeare didn’t quite say that but the idea is still the same. People have a fondness for giving each month’s full moon a name, sometimes several names. July’s full moon is no exception.

Today, the names given to the full moon have little meaning. Long ago, the names served a useful purpose. They usually helped people keep track of the time of year and what was happening in nature at the time. The names given to July’s full moon are good examples of this.

The most common name for the full moon in July is the Full Buck Moon. The reason for this name is that male deer, called bucks, begin growing new antlers during this month. Thunderstorms happen more in July than in other months so the full moon in that month is also known as the Thunder Moon. It is usually in July that farmers needing livestock feed for winter will cut, bale and store hay so July’s full moon for them is called the Hay Moon.

In China, a particularly interesting name has been given to the full moon in July. They call it the Hungry Ghost Moon. They believe that the spirits of their ancestors are out and about at this time of year looking for the love and attention they miss. A festival with lots of food is held to provide what these spirits are craving.

Nearly every culture has its own name for the full moon each month. Native Americans, particularly in the northeastern United States, use the names they give to the full moon of each month to aide in keeping track of time. Though we know the moon is a spherical object orbiting Earth, it had and still has more significance than that to many people.

For more on this topic, see this article at Space.com.

Cover photo credit: Video 1 at Space.com


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