A crescent moon is a phase of the moon that occurs when only a small, curved portion of its surface is illuminated by the Sun. This shape resembles a thin slice or arc, and it can be seen in the evening or early morning sky. The crescent moon appears just after the new moon phase and just before the first quarter phase. There are two types of crescent moons: the waxing crescent, which occurs as the moon moves from new to full, and the waning crescent, which happens as it transitions from full back to new. The crescent moon is often associated with various cultural symbols and is commonly featured in art and literature.