lunar halo; ring around the moon
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
lunar halo; a colored ring appearing around the moon caused by the refraction of moonlight through ice crystals in clouds
neutralTypically appears as a colored ring with red on the inside and purple on the outside. Often regarded as an omen of weather changes, as described in the proverb "月晕而风，础润而雨" (a halo around the moon means wind; dampness on the stone base means rain).
A beautiful lunar halo appeared tonight, red on the inside and purple on the outside, quite spectacular.
The old folks often say, "A halo around the moon brings wind, dampness on the base brings rain"—when you see a lunar halo, you know the wind is coming.
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The lunar halo is an atmospheric optical phenomenon formed by the refraction of moonlight through ice crystals in high-altitude clouds.
There was a lunar halo last night, and indeed strong winds are blowing today.