See the Full Pink Moon in all its springtime glory

April's full moon put on quite a show.
By Rachel Kraus  on 
A windmill silhouetted against a large full moon.
The Full Pink Moon looking impressive in Spain! Credit: Marcos del Mazo / Contributor / Getty Images

The moon has a message for us Earthlings: Spring has sprung.

April's full moon rose on the evening of April 16, 2022 in miraculous fashion. The lunar event came as people around the world celebrated springtime holidays Hanuman Jayanti for Hindus, Easter for Christians, Ramadan for Muslims, Bak Poya for Sri Lankan Buddhists, and Passover for Jews.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Pink flowers silhouetted against the full moon.
The moon showing off behind a tree in Germany. Credit: picture alliance / Contributor / Getty Images

Why is April's full moon called the Full Pink Moon?

The Full Pink Moon is not actually pink, though it might appear so in some pictures. According to NASA, the Farmer's Almanac adopted a Native American naming system for full moons each month. The Pink Moon is named for the plant herb moss pink, which is an eastern U.S. native plant that blooms early in spring. Other names for the plant are creeping phlox, moss phlox, or mountain phlox.

The full moon against a dusky sky behind a tree branch.
The Full Pink Moon shining bright in Indonesia. Credit: CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / Contributor / Getty Images

Photographers captured the spectacular moon from vantage points around the world.

The full moon beside a Church spire.
The moon beside a spire of the Church of St. Maurice in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Credit: picture alliance / Contributor / Getty Images
A gold tinged full moon beside a domed building.
Shining bright in Dubai. Credit: Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images
A pink-tinged moon beside wind turbines.
Looking good next to wind turbines in Petersdorf, Germany, Credit: picture alliance / Contributor / Getty Images
The moon above people sitting at a table with crescent moon flags.
Providing light in Idlib, Syria. Credit: Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images
The Statue of Liberty's flame silhouetted against a yellow-tinged full moon.
The Statue of Liberty's flame burns bright against the full moon. Credit: Gary Hershorn / Contributor / Getty Images

Topics Nature

Mashable Image
Rachel Kraus

Rachel Kraus is a Mashable Tech Reporter specializing in health and wellness. She is an LA native, NYU j-school graduate, and writes cultural commentary across the internetz.


Recommended For You
U.S. spacecraft on the moon finally sends home the money shot
Odysseus spacecraft landing on the moon


There's a library on the moon now. It might last billions of years.
The moon, zoomed in on a landing site, with a disk covered in smaller colorful disks

Celebrities show their support for Palestine at the Oscars amid ongoing protests
Billie Eilish wearing the red Artists For Ceasefire pin.

OkCupid review: An algorithmic site for millennials who find social activism sexy
illustration of two people eyeing each other on the sidewalk while swiping through dating apps on their phones

More in Science



TikTok for Business: Everything you need to know
TikTok for Business


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 25
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 25
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 25
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 24
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Home Depot's famous 12-foot skeleton (and its new pet dog) go on sale today
decorations from home depot's 2024 halloween collection
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!