The Snow Moon -February’s Full Moon & the Story Behind My Art
Behind the scenes of February’s full moon illustration.
Did you know full moons have names? Each name is special, tied to nature, the seasons, and old traditions—a tribute to the way people once tracked time by the rhythms of the earth.
February’s full moon is called the Full Snow Moon, a fitting name for the month with the heaviest snowfall of the year!
After learning about these moon names, I started a series of illustrations—one for each full moon—bringing their stories to life through art. The collection is now part of my Full Moon Calendar, and I’m sharing a little about each one as the year goes on. If you’re curious about January’s full moon, you can read about it here. Otherwise, here’s a look at February’s Full Snow Moon and the inspiration behind my artwork.
Why Is It Called the Snow Moon?
February’s full moon is known as the Snow Moon because, historically, this month brings the deepest snow of the year. Many Native American and European cultures used this name, marking the challenges of surviving the harsh winter season. One of the hardest parts of this project was choosing which moon name to illustrate each month. Some other really fun contenders were Bear Moon, Groundhog Moon, Eagle Moon, and Goose Moon, all of which would’ve been fantastic to illustrate!
The Inspiration Behind My Snow Moon Illustration
Like the rest of the series, this piece centers around the full moon—this time in icy shades of blue to reflect the cold, wintry landscape.
In front of the moon, two owls soar through the snow, navigating the quiet, snowy night. I chose owls because they’re incredible winter hunters and for the connection of the snow owl. There’s something about their stillness and stealthiness that fits the hushed, frozen atmosphere of February.
The border is always my favorite part to create, layering elements that tie into the season. Snowflakes and pine trees weave around the edges, adding texture and movement, while tiny moon phases mark the passage of time.
A few crocuses peek through as well as a little reminder that even in the coldest months, spring is just waiting beneath the snow.
This is just one of the moon illustrations in my full moon series—each moon has its own unique name, story and symbolism, and I’m excited to eventually share them all. If you’d like to see the full collection, you can check out the Full Moon Calendar here.
