Lunar Phase History

Lunar Phases

• The motion of the earth, moon and sun cause those on earth to see the moon illuminated in a cycle that extends from complete darkness to fully lit over the course of about 29 days. The moon has no light of its own, and when we see the illumination of the moon, it is due to the sun's reflected light. The moon's phases are generally categorized by eight identifying names: new moon (not visible), waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent.

Ancient Moon Observations

• Archeological discoveries from objects dating back to the Ice Age revealed reindeer bones and tusks of mammoths on which primitive people depicted the days between moon phases. The Ancient Egyptians completed detailed studies of the moon and stars and their cycles.

Using Lunar Phases to Tell Time

• The consistency of the cycle of lunar phases gave early rise to using the moon to create calendars to mark time. The American Indians measured time by the moon, saying an event took place a number of "moons ago." Muslim countries measure the year by the moon's cycles. The Chinese New Year festivity, which is centuries old, is based on the lunar calendar. It is one of the oldest calendars still in use, and begins on the first new moon after the sun enters the sign of Aquarius.

Holidays Based On Lunar Phases

• Dozens of holidays in cultures around the world exist that are based on the phase of the moon. For example, the Christian holiday of Easter is determined to be on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, unless the full moon is on the equinox, in which case it is after the following full moon. In Japan, the new year begins on the first new moon after midwinter begins. The Greeks held the Festival of New Wine on the first new moon after midwinter. Native South American Indians in the Andes Mountains mark the beginning of their planting season on the full moon following the autumn equinox. The Jewish celebration of Passover, remembering the Exodus from Egypt, takes place on the first full moon in spring.