Man in the Moons (concept)

The "Man in the Moons" concept refers to the familiar pattern of dark and light areas on the Moon's surface, shaped by vast basaltic plains called maria and lighter highlands. These features resemble a human figure or face, leading many cultures to perceive a "man" or "face" when viewing the lunar surface. It’s an example of pareidolia—the tendency to interpret vague images as familiar objects. The pattern is a natural result of the Moon's geological history, and cultural interpretations of these shapes have influenced storytelling, art, and mythology across civilizations.