Mother’s Day is more than an occasion where we buy our moms flowers and treat them to breakfast in bed.
Every day is an opportunity to pay tribute to our beloved mothers. Mother’s Day may be celebrated on different days worldwide, but it commonly falls on the second Sunday of May. No matter the date differences, the common thread that binds us all together is the love for our mothers.
We’ll dive into some common Mother’s Day traditions. Who knows, you may get an idea as to how you can celebrate here. This article will also talk about how this holiday started, as well as some fun facts. Read on!
Early History of Mother’s Day
This modern holiday may seem like a typical celebration, but there is more than meets the eye. Mother’s Day has a profound beginning that makes the special May occasion even more meaningful.
This beautiful holiday all began in the early 1900s when a woman named Anna Jarvis started to campaign for an official holiday after her own mother died in 1905.
Three years later, the first-ever celebration was held in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a public memorial for her mother in West Virginia. Anna pushed and persisted in the following years to have the holiday officially recognized.
Little by little, more stated around the US celebrated Mother’s day. Finally, a proclamation was signed in 1914, officially recognizing Mother’s Day as an official holiday that shall take place on the second Sunday of May.
In 1872, a Boston poet, pacifist, and women’s suffragist named Julia Ward Howe established a special day for mothers and peace, a little after the bloody Franco-Prussian War.
Mother’s Day began as a way to express love and gratitude to mothers, as spearheaded by Anna Jarvis’s love for her own mom. Her undying love and dedication to her mother effectively put the day of tribute on the calendar.
This holiday goes beyond taking up some of the household chores. It acknowledges the sacrifices women make for their children and the profound role mothers play in society.
Mother’s Day has endured the test of time because everyone acknowledges the essential nature of mothers. We may have different versions and definitions of what being a mother is supposed to be, but the commonality among all of them is love and dedication.
Common Mother’s Day Traditions Worldwide
No matter which language you say it in or which country you celebrate it in, the common sentiment is this: Thank you, mom.
Gratitude is expressed differently per country. Hence, we decided to compile some of the most common Mother’s Day traditions worldwide. You may even get an idea as to how you can spend it this 2021!
France
Mother’s Day or fête des mères is celebrated on the last Sunday of May, but it is moved to the first Sunday of June if the Pentecost falls then.
Napoleon initially declared this day of celebration in order to reward mothers belonging to large families. It was revitalized in the First World War when mothers with four to five children were even awarded medals.
At present, French children opt to do chores and give heartfelt, thoughtful gifts such as letters and poems.
Brazil
Dia das Mães is one of the most popular celebrations in Brazil. It is actually the second most commercial holiday celebrated, right behind Christmas.
It is celebrated every second Sunday of May with special performances from children and church gatherings. The holiday functions as a family gathering as well, with it culminating in large and multi-generational feasts and barbecues.
Australia
Mother’s Day is a very floral and fragrant event for the land down under. This country loves giving carnations and flowers to their mothers every second Sunday of May. Apart from Carnations, Chrysanthemums are very popular because it has the word “mum” in its name.
A lot of events are held in commemoration of this holiday. The most common are organizations that have charity events to promote and fund women’s causes.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, Mother’s Day is actually a three-day event. It is celebrated at the end of a rainy season as a part of a three-day festival called Antrosht, which is dedicated to moms.
As soon as the weather clears and the rain subsides, families come home to a large feast. The daughters are in charge of bringing vegetables, butter, and other types of produce, while the sons are responsible for obtaining various types of meat.
The celebration is marked by a gathering filled with food, family, and festivities.
Peru
The most distinct difference in Peruvian Mother’s Day celebrations is that gifts are reciprocated! Children often give handmade gifts to their mothers, which are reciprocated.
Peru’s indigenous Andean population also celebrates the gifts of Mother Earth or Pachamama sometime around early August. Pachamama is a beloved mythological goddess known to be the bringing of fertility and cause of earthquakes.
Fun Facts About Mother’s Day
- Mother’s Day is the third most popular holiday worldwide, trailing behind Christmas and Easter.
- This holiday was initially intended to honor mothers individually rather than collectively. Thus, the spelling has the apostrophe before the “s”, making it singular possessive rather than plural possessive.
- Carnations are the most popular flowers for Mother’s Day. It was thought to be made from Mary’s tears, Jesus’s mother, as she wept when He was crucified.
- Ancient Greeks used to hold spring festivals in celebration of mothers and the maternal goddess Rhea.
No matter how you celebrate it, the most important thing is to express your appreciation for your mother. This special day honors and pays tribute to maternal bonds, motherhood, and the crucial role moms play in society.
You don’t need to spend a lot to make your beloved mother feel appreciated. It can be something as simple as washing dishes, making breakfast, or even just pouring your heart out on a letter.
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To all you, mothers in the world, Happy Mother’s Day!
