What Is the Man on the Moon?

Just as many ancient civilizations found patterns in the stars, people have made shapes out of the surface of the moon for centuries. The Man on the Moon is one of the most popular examples of this tradition.

How the Man on the Moon got its name

From the planet Earth, the low and high points on the moon appear dark and light as a result of the reflection of the sun. From this great distance, those differences in shading create the impression of different shapes or images. Many people claim that the largest craters on the moon create the shape of a man's face, while others see the stooped figure of an old man. Either way, these shapes are referred to often in popular literature as "the Man in the Moon."

How the Man on the Moon was formed

There are different theories on how the images on the surface of the moon were created. Some scientists say that the dark spots are natural lowlands known as lunar maria or seas and that the light spots are highlands that are more reflective of the sun and thus appear lighter. Other scientists say that the dark spots are craters caused by asteroids and other rogue objects crashing into the surface of the moon and permanently altering its appearance.

Though the truth of their origins is far from exciting, pagans, scientists and romantics alike have found inspiration by looking at and pondering the shapes on the surface of the moon. Many singers have sung about the Man in the Moon and just as many writers have used his smiling face as inspiration for their far-fetched tales.