The crescent moon symbolized the Ladies Room, after Luna while the sun motif representing Sol symbolized the Men's Room.  In both cases, the cut out design provided the more important function of ventilation.

I read this somewhere, but can't seem to locate it just now.

Regards,

Rich Green
Historic Archaeological Research
4338 Hadley Court
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Office:  (765) 464-8735
Mobile: (765) 427-4082
www.har-indy.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Hoover 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 11:26 AM
  Subject: Crescent moon on privies


  I know that several of you have dealt with this question before and have the 
  answer already.   I was asked what was the significance of the crescent moon 
  design on privies.   I was given a number of options:

  1. It was a symbol denoting Islamic origins

  2. It originated in the Civil War in Louisiana

  3. The structure doubled as an astronomical observatory
   
  4. None of the above

  I suspect that the answer is #4.   Can anyone give me an accurate reply?

  RLH