Every second Sunday of the month of May, many of us buy secret presents or plan a wonderful dinner party and sign heartfelt messages on cards for the Queen of our Hearts.
Yes, I’m talking about Mother’s Day.
The one day out of the year dedicated to celebrating our mums by showering them with gifts and letting them know just how much we love and appreciate them.
But have you ever wondered where this worldwide tradition came from?
The idea of honouring mothers, however, is not unique to the Western world.
Various societies throughout history have celebrated motherhood in various ways. And these celebrations are often tied to religious or cultural traditions.
Everywhere we go, in countries that have never even spoken to one another, there is some version of a Mother’s Day.
Here’s a brief history lesson about where Mother’s Day comes from, and what it has evolved into in modern times.
The Origins of Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day has ancient roots that date back all the way back
The earliest known example of Mother’s Day was in ancient Greek and Rome.
Ceremonies and festivals were once held in honour of maternal goddesses. Most notably Rhea (or Cybele, her Roman counterpart), the ‘mother’ of the Gods.
After the rise of Christianity, devotees would celebrate ‘Mothering Sunday’, a day where they honoured the Virgin Mary. This is where our modern version of celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday may have come from.
Later on, Mother’s Day would take on a modern incarnation in the early 20th century in the United States.
It all began with a woman named Anna Jarvis who was inspired by her own mother’s activism and care for wounded soldiers during the American Civil War.
After her own mother’s death in 1905, Anna began campaigning for a day to celebrate all mothers as a way to honour the sacrifices they make for their children.
The first Mother’s Day celebration was held in 1908 in West Virginia and was later officially made a national American holiday by President Woodrow in 1914.
Overtime, many countries began adopting the holiday for themselves. Celebrating Mother’s Day as well on the second Sunday of May each year.
However, other countries have their own versions of Mother’s Day.
Some may be celebrated on other days of the year, in honour of the mothers in their lives.
Thus, we’ve compiled a list below that covers both.
How Mother’s Day Is Celebrated Around the World
Mexico
Known as Dia de las Madres in Mexico, Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 10th instead of on the second Sunday of May.
The usual celebration full of flowers, presents and delicious food are observed, of course.
But it is a full family affair, with relatives congregating to honour the matriarchs of their households.
The celebration typically begins with music and song—a performance and serenade known as ‘Las Mañanitas’. While often sang on birthdays, it is also popular during Mother’s Day appreciation.
Family members would hire mariachi bands to sing the song outside their mother’s window so she can wake up to wonderful music.
Italy
Italians call Mother’s Day, La Festa della Mamma and just like in the Western tradition, is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
Mothers are absolutely not allowed to work or do chores on her special; and that includes, cleaning, cooking or running errands.
Family members cook breakfast for their mothers and serve her delicious pastries. Lunch is eaten at home or at the mother’s favourite place.
The longstanding tradition of gathering fresh flowers by hand and penning original poems is still observed in many families today.
United Kingdom
Unlike the U.S., the U.K. version of Mother’s Day is very much a religious holiday and falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
The event is traditionally a church custom, with Christians visiting their mother churches (the church where they were baptised) for Sunday service.
This tradition of ‘Mothering Sunday’ began as early as the 1700s with some families still observing the tradition till this day.
However, Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom has since however become a secular holiday, celebrated much like it is in other parts of the world with cakes and flowers and gifts.
France
Called La Fête des Mères, the French celebrate Mother’s Day on the last day of May each year instead of the second.
It is a treasured family holiday that has a sad beginning.
After the events of World War I in 1920 that cost so many French lives, the women of the family were left to pick up the pieces, bringing society back on its feet with their strength and resilience.
As a reward, the French government awarded the mothers (whose sons were also casualties of the war), gold medals as a token of gratitude and to commemorate their sacrifice.
Peru
Mother’s Day is both a happy and solemn event in Peru, celebrated just like in the U.S. on the second Sunday of May.
Called Feliz dia Mama, Peruvian Mother’s Day starts off with the usual, presents, gifts, flowers, cards.
Delicious meals and celebrations abound in families, along with music and dance.
But for those whose own mothers have passed, the day is spent at cemeteries. Families will honour the dead with candles and prayer.
Gravesites are cleaned and decorated and fresh flowers placed on the tomb. All in the name of keeping the memory of the deceased alive.
Japan
Brought over by Christian missionaries in 1913, Mother’s Day is also known as Haha no Hi (母の日) in Japan.
It’s celebrated just like it is in the U.S. on the second Sunday of May.
The celebration starts early with breakfast with eggs being the star dish due to their symbolism of nurturing.
Dishes like omelette and egg custard are served just for this purpose.
Flowers are also a big thing during Haha no Hi.
Carnations are given gifts mothers which are not only a symbol of love, but also of strength.
White carnations, in particular, represent the sweetness and never-ending endurance of motherhood.
Mother’s Day Across the Globe
The rich cultures of the world have so many ways of celebrating mothers.
And it’s not just with cakes and flowers and singing.
Whether it’s celebrated in May, or another day of the year, Mother’s Day is a symbol of just how much we love and cherish the woman who have given us life.
One day out of the year is not nearly enough to show just how much they mean to us.
So, celebrate your mum (or any mother figure in your life) every day, because that’s just how much she deserves your love.
And for all mummies out there, we love you and thank you for everything!
Motherhood wishes you and yours a Happy Mother’s Day with love. May all of you mummies be spoiled rotten on your special day, you deserve it!
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