The Current Moon Phase Emoji for Today Is…

What Does Each Phase Mean?

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New Moon

The new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, with its illuminated side facing away from us. During this phase, the moon is essentially invisible in the night sky. This is considered the beginning of the lunar cycle and a time of darkness. Many cultures view the new moon as a period of rest, reflection, and setting new intentions. The new moon rises and sets with the sun, so it’s above the horizon during the day.

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Waxing Crescent

The waxing crescent appears as a thin sliver of light on the right side of the moon in the Northern Hemisphere. “Waxing” means the illuminated portion is growing larger each night. This phase begins a day or two after the new moon and shows anywhere from 1% to 49% illumination. The crescent moon is often visible in the western sky just after sunset. It’s sometimes called the “young moon” as the lunar cycle is just getting started.

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First Quarter

The first quarter moon emoji appears as a half-circle, with the right half illuminated in the Northern Hemisphere. Despite showing 50% of the moon’s face, it’s called a “quarter” because the moon has completed one-quarter of its orbital journey around Earth. This phase occurs about a week after the new moon. The first quarter moon rises around noon and sets around midnight, making it visible in the afternoon and evening sky.

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Waxing Gibbous

The waxing gibbous phase shows more than half of the moon illuminated, between 51% and 99%. “Gibbous” comes from a Latin word meaning “hump” or “hunchbacked,” describing the moon’s bulging shape. The moon continues to grow brighter each night as it approaches fullness. This phase is visible for most of the night, rising in the afternoon and setting after midnight. The waxing gibbous is ideal for observing lunar features since the angled sunlight creates dramatic shadows on the surface.

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Full Moon

The full moon occurs when the Earth is positioned between the sun and moon, fully illuminating the lunar surface we see. This is the brightest phase of the lunar cycle, with 100% of the moon’s face lit up. Full moons rise at sunset and set at sunrise, remaining visible throughout the entire night. Each month’s full moon has traditional names like Harvest Moon, Wolf Moon, or Strawberry Moon based on seasonal events.

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Waning Gibbous

After the full moon, the waning gibbous phase begins as the illuminated portion starts to shrink. “Waning” means the light is decreasing, moving from 99% back down toward 51% illumination. The left side of the moon now appears brightest in the Northern Hemisphere. This phase rises after sunset and is often visible in the morning sky. It’s a transitional period as the lunar cycle moves toward its quieter half.

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Last Quarter

The last quarter moon, also called the third quarter, shows exactly half of the moon illuminated – but now this emoji is the left half in the Northern Hemisphere. This phase occurs about three weeks after the new moon, marking the three-quarter point of the lunar cycle. The last quarter moon rises around midnight and sets around noon, making it prominent in the early morning sky. It’s a time for reflection on the cycle that’s coming to a close.

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Waning Crescent

The waning crescent is the final phase before the cycle begins anew with another new moon. Only a thin sliver of light remains visible on the left side of the moon in the Northern Hemisphere. Illumination decreases from 49% down to just 1% as the moon approaches its invisible new moon phase. This crescent is best seen in the eastern sky just before dawn, earning it the nickname “old moon.”