What Is the Pink Moon?

Quick Answer

The Pink Moon is the full moon that occurs in April. In 2026, it falls on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the moon in Libra. The name originates from Native American tradition and the Old Farmer’s Almanac, named for the pink wild ground phlox of early spring.

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 · Zodiac: Libra · Also called: Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, Fish Moon, Paschal Moon · Next full moon: Flower Moon (May 1, 2026)

What Is the Pink Moon?

The Pink Moon is the full moon of April in the traditional North American full moon calendar. It follows the Worm Moon in March and precedes the Flower Moon in May, and it is typically the first full moon after the spring equinox.

Like every full moon, it occurs when the Moon sits opposite the Sun in the sky and its entire Earth-facing side is lit. The name is a seasonal marker rather than a description of the Moon's appearance.

Why Is It Called the Pink Moon?

The name comes from Phlox subulata, a wild ground phlox commonly called moss pink. It is among the earliest widespread wildflowers to bloom in eastern North America, carpeting hillsides and clearings in pink in early spring. The name is attributed to Native American tradition and entered general use through the Old Farmer's Almanac.

The Moon does not turn pink. The Pink Moon usually looks the same as any other full moon: white or pale gold, with a warmer tint only when it is low on the horizon, as with any moonrise.

When Is the Pink Moon in 2026?

The 2026 Pink Moon falls on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the Moon in the zodiac sign of Libra. It is the fourth full moon of the year, arriving about four weeks after the Worm Moon.

• Previous full moon: Worm Moon — Tuesday, March 3, 2026
• Pink Moon: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (Moon in Libra)
• Next full moon: Flower Moon — Friday, May 1, 2026

What Are the Other Names for the Pink Moon?

April's full moon carries a range of names, most of them describing spring growth or the religious calendar.

• Sprouting Grass Moon — for the first green growth of the season
• Egg Moon — for the return of nesting birds and eggs, a name also tied to spring fertility symbolism
• Fish Moon — for the spring runs of fish returning to rivers
• Paschal Moon — the full moon used in the calculation of the date of Easter

What Is the Spiritual and Astrological Meaning of the Pink Moon?

The Pink Moon is commonly associated with renewal, new growth, and the return of color to the landscape. As the first full moon of spring, it is a traditional symbol of rebirth and fresh starts.

Astrologically, the 2026 Pink Moon occurs in Libra, an Air sign ruled by Venus and associated with balance, partnership, fairness, and harmony. A full moon in Libra is traditionally linked with relationships and the weighing of competing needs. Because the Sun is in Aries at the same time, the Libra–Aries axis emphasizes the balance between self and others.

How Is the Pink Moon Connected to Easter?

Easter is calculated from the Paschal Full Moon, the first full moon on or after the March equinox (fixed at March 21 in the church calendar). Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after that full moon. In most years, the April full moon, the Pink Moon, is the Paschal Moon.

In 2026, the Pink Moon on April 1 is the Paschal Full Moon, and Easter Sunday follows on April 5, 2026. Because Easter is tied to the lunar cycle, its date shifts between March 22 and April 25 each year.