Mothers have been held in high regard throughout history comparable to that of angels and gods. Mother’s Day may have emerged from a custom of mother worship in ancient Greece, which kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of Greek gods.
Modern History
When the first English settlers came to America, they discontinued their tradition of Mothering Sunday. While the British holiday would live on, the American Mother’s Day would be invented – with an entirely new history – centuries later.
During the American Civil War years, Ann Jarvis worked very hard to provide nursing care, which helped save thousands of lives on both sides of the conflict. Ann Jarvis passed away on May 9, 1905. Two years later, in 1907, on the second Sunday in May, Anna M. Jarvis, the daughter of Ann Jarvis, invited friends to her home in commemoration of her mother's life. On this occasion, she announced her idea – a day of national celebration in honour of mothers – a Mother's Day.
It was Anna Jarvis who also began the custom of wearing a carnation (her mothers’ favourite flower) on Mother's Day – coloured if your mother is living, and white if she's not.
By the time of Anna M. Jarvis's death, over 40 countries observed the Mother’s Day. The modern Mother's Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March, April, or May as a day to honour mothers and motherhood. In the UK and Ireland, it follows the old traditions of Mothering Sunday, celebrated in March/April.
The World Celebrates Mother's Day
- Most of South America observes “Día de la madre” in May while Argentina celebrates it on the second Sunday of October.
- France celebrated Mother's Day first in 1918 and then created the official day in 1920, declaring December 19 La Fete de Meres, Mothers’ Day.
- Hindus have long celebrated a 10-day festival in October called Durga Puja. As the ancient Greeks honoured their Earth goddess, the Hindu holiday praises their divine mother, Durga.
- The Japanese call Mother's Day haha no hi.
- On May 10th the Mexicans celebrate the Día de las madres.
- Yugoslavia celebrates Mother's Day or “Materitse”, just before Christmas.
- In the Dutch-speaking parts of Belgium the day is called Moederdag.
- In Denmark dining out to lunch is a popular Mother’s Day pastime. The day is called Mors Dag.
- Mother's Day in Ethiopia occurs in mid-fall when the rainy season ends. Called “Antrosht,”
- In Finland Mother’s Day is called aidipayiva.
- Hong Kong’s holiday, called mu quin jie, is notable for its custom to pay honour to the parent of the Mother if she is deceased.
- In Bahrain, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates Mother's Day is called Ruz-e Madar and it coincides with the first day of spring, observed as March 21.
- The Italians celebrate La Festa della Mamma with a big feast and a cake made in the shape of a heart.
- The Norwegian Morsdag takes place on February’s second Sunday.
- The May 10 celebration of Motherhood in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is called Yaum ul-umm.
- Thailand celebrates Mother’s Day to coincide with the birthday of their beloved queen, Sirikit Kitayakara, who has reigned since 1950. Her birthday, and therefore Mother's Day, takes place on August 12.
- Canada was one of the first nation’s to pick up the US version of Mother’s Day, making it a national holiday in 1909. Mother's Day in Canada is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.
No matter what language you say it in, or where in the world it is celebrated, it all boils down to the same strong love for a very special person who has had tremendous influence in shaping our world and its peoples.
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." Abraham Lincoln.
How to Remember Mom on Mother's Day
So, on Mother’s Day this year make sure you remember your mom by giving her:
- a nice card
- a bunch of flowers
- a full day of your attention – go out for a nice lunch or special dinner and just have fun!
- a nice, relaxing day at home
- a homemade gift
- homemade cookies
- shopping
- respect
- scented candles
- a gift certificate for a day at a spa.
If your mom is deceased, like mine, then Mother's Day can be a difficult holiday to handle. You may miss your mom more on Mother's Day or you may be more emotional than usual. Even though it may be a difficult day you can find simple ways to honour and remember your mom on Mother's Day.
- Share a few of your favourite memories and talk about your mother with family and friends.
- Show pictures of your mother with a request to hold her image in their minds as they celebrate Mother's Day. Add her as your profile picture on Facebook.
- Give a Mother's Day donation to your mother's favourite charity in her name.
- Purchase a bouquet of your mom's favourite flower to decorate your home.
- Light a candle in remembrance of your mom.
- Take flowers to your mother's grave. Even if you’re not spiritual, laying flowers on her grave may make you feel closer to her.
I don’t live near my mother's grave so, I will buy a single white carnation in her memory, display her picture, spend some time alone thinking of my childhood, and remember her in my own special way. No matter what your spiritual beliefs are, a few minutes of quiet meditation can help to keep your memories of your mother alive.
Happy Mother’s Day, mom. I love you and miss you very much.
“A mother's love is forever strong,
never changing for all time
And when her children need her most,
a mother's love will shine.
When her days on earth are over,
a mother's love lives on
Through many generations,
with God's blessings on each one.”
Anonymous
Sources:
Wayne Gosse - Wayne lives in southern Ontario with his wife and two sons. He served in the Canadian Forces for 21 years before moving into the private ...
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