The wolf moon as it was in Western Australia
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
January 3, 2026 7:34pm CST
The photo is Vince’s. My camera couldn’t compete with the street lights but Vin managed to dodge them somehow. As Amber (@AmbiePam) stated, it’s called a ‘wolf moon’. It seems this name is given to the full first moon of the year but perhaps others know of another reason.
We were lucky to have a clear sky so we got a very good few of it.
18 people like this
18 responses
@LadyDuck (502491)
• Italy
4 Jan
Congratulations to Vince, I never arrive to get good photos of the moon. The name "Wolf Moon" comes from the time of year when wolves were believed to howl more due to food scarcity during the cold winter months. This name has roots in both Native American and Anglo-Saxon traditions.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502491)
• Italy
4 Jan
@JudyEv - 
Thank you, all the names of the moon were given by native Americans. I read somewhere the tradition came from the Celts, WRONG! We did not have corn in Europe before Columbus discovered the Americas, so how could we call the September moon "Corn moon"?
Thank you, all the names of the moon were given by native Americans. I read somewhere the tradition came from the Celts, WRONG! We did not have corn in Europe before Columbus discovered the Americas, so how could we call the September moon "Corn moon"?2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
4 Jan
It was gorgeous when we were driving last night. Anna's infor (@LadyDuck) matches what I have found, and I agree that some of the names could not have started in Europe. What types of wolves do you have in Australia?
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502491)
• Italy
4 Jan
@GardenGerty And how it was possible that Celts would have named a moon "Corn Moon" when Corn was brought to Europe by Columbus?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189880)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Jan
I've heard of this first full moon. It holds a lot of significance for the Native Americans although other cultures also celebrate its meaning. It symbolizes both humans and animals' survival instincts.
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@celticeagle (189880)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Jan
@JudyEv ........Moons and how they affect us is very interesting.
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@DaddyEvil (174491)
• United States
4 Jan
It's a beautiful photo!
We can't see clear views of the sky even when it isn't cloudy/foggy outside. We have too many trees/branches in the way all the time.
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@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
10 Jan
Great Picture !
Perhaps it resembles a Werewolf a lot.
Still quite an interesting name.
A clear sky helps on such days even more.
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@luisadannointed (11848)
• Philippines
9 Jan
Cool! Before it was full moon, but now they call it wolf moon.
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jan
Only the first one in the year is called wolf moon. I think that's how it works.
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
4 Jan
Wow, great photo. According to the information online, Saturn is also visible with it in the northern hemisphere tonight. I got to see that as well! It really is gorgeous out tonight.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
4 Jan
@JudyEv — likewise, but I had to take a box to the garage, and there was no missing that beautiful moon!!
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@RasmaSandra (98033)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Jan
That is so beautiufl. Make me want to howl at it like a wolf,
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@AliCanary (4427)
•
4 Jan
Oh, how gorgeous! I can never take a photo of the moon that does it any justice.
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@snowy22315 (208952)
• United States
4 Jan
It looks a bit more like what we would call a Harvest moon because of the orange tint
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jan
He put a chair on the footpath, set up his tripod and waited for the moon to rise. 
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
4 Jan
That's a great picture. Kudos to Vince.
1 person likes this
