maansmaand

Maansmaand is a term used in some calendars and cultural texts to denote a unit of time tied to the lunar cycle. Unlike formal civil months, maansmaand often refers to a lunar month, from one new moon to the next, or to a month in a lunisolar system. The precise start, length, and naming can vary by tradition, author, or community.

Etymology is uncertain. The compound appears to combine elements related to the moon (maan) and month (maand) in several Indo-European and regional language families, but there is no authoritative etymology or origin point recognized across sources. The term is predominantly found in informal, regional, or fictional contexts.

In practice, maansmaand may mean one synodic month in neopagan, astronomical, or hobbyist calendars, typically around 29.5 days. In some cultural calendars, it designates a lunar month within a lunisolar scheme, with start dates determined by astronomical calculations or lunar sightings. In literature and media, maansmaand is sometimes used to evoke lunar timekeeping.

There is no universal standard or internationally accepted definition for maansmaand. Readers should consult local or source-specific definitions when the term appears, as the length and rules can differ widely.

See also: lunar month, synodic month, lunisolar calendar, moon phase.