Mother’s Day has always been an essential occasion since its inception. The day is celebrated to appreciate everything that our mothers do for us, to acknowledge the sacrifices they have made, and to honour them. Our moms are our most significant source of strength and our best friends, as they scold us when we make any mistake and, simultaneously, have our backs in every situation against the world. Mothers are the true epitome of love and care, so the much-needed day dedicated to them should be celebrated splendidly.
The significance of Mother’s Day is observed around the globe, but every country has its traditions and customs to celebrate the day uniquely; some present the moms with cards and flowers, while others get a love-filled Mother’s Day gift. Before jumping to different countries’ traditions and ways of celebration, let’s look at a couple of interesting facts associated with Mother’s Day.
Exciting Mother’s Day Facts
- Greeting cards, flowers, and special outings were the top three most popular gifts in 2022.
- Carnations in red or pink are the flowers associated with Mother’s Day.
- Mother’s Day is the busiest flower-buying day of the year in the United Kingdom.
- On Mother’s Day, 30+ million cards are sent to the United Kingdom annually.
- Mother’s Day is said to be originated in Ancient Greece when the Greeks held an annual spring festival dedicated to the maternal Goddess Rhea, mother of the Gods.
- Anna Jarvis established Mother’s Day in the United States.
- Mother’s Day is observed in approx 46 countries worldwide.
Mother’s Day Traditions in Different Countries
Japan
Following WWII, a version of Mother’s Day became famous as a way to console mothers who had lost sons in the war. Carnations are commonly seen around this March holiday because they represent the sweetness and endurance of motherhood in Japanese culture. Initially, children would give a red carnation to a living mother and a white one to a deceased mother. White has now become the standard colour.
France
It is believed that Napoleon Bonaparte proposed “La Fête des Mères,” France’s equivalent to Mother’s Day, in 1806 to encourage mothers to have more children. In 1920, the French government began awarding medals to mothers of large families in appreciation for their assistance in rebuilding the population after many lives were lost in World War I. Following WWII, the government declared the last Sunday in May to be Mother’s Day. A flower-shaped mothers day cake has replaced the traditional gift.
Ethiopia
The three-day “Antrosht” festival, dedicated to the African nation’s mothers, takes place at the end of the rainy season, usually in the fall. Families gather to feast and tell stories about their ancestors to commemorate the holiday. Daughters traditionally bring fruits, vegetables, or cheeses, while sons bring meats, and when both offerings are combined, it results in a delicious, traditional meal.
Thailand
Thailand observed the holiday for the first time in 1950. In 1976, the country designated August 12 as Mother’s Day in honour of Queen Sirikit’s birthday. Residents celebrate by offering food to Buddhist monks and attending programmes at children’s schools. Thai children kneel at their mothers’ feet during these programmes, which include more traditional elements such as poem recitations and songs. Mother’s Day is also celebrated in Thailand with gifts and special meals.
Indonesia
While most countries observe Mother’s Day in the spring, Indonesia celebrates it on December 22. The holiday’s unique positioning can be attributed to the first Indonesian women’s congress in 1928. Initially, the holiday celebrated the women’s movement, but by the late 1960s, the country had narrowed the focus to just mothers. The Asian country has several unique traditions associated with their celebrations, such as washing a mother’s feet and competing in various competitions ranging from cooking to “kebaya” wearing. Children are frequently the participants, while mothers judge, but both parties occasionally participate in the games.
Peru
Peru, a Latin American country, observes Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. The country is incredibly enthusiastic about the holiday and has turned it into a weeklong festival in recent years, with cities hosting events, schools hosting programmes, and stores offering discounts. On Mother’s Day, families will visit the graves of their female ancestors, such as mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and great-grandmothers, to clean and decorate them. They’ll stay at the cemetery after honouring the dead to share a bite or a drink with members of their extended family.
Wrapping Up
Mother’s Day, however, is celebrated in different ways, but the common factor has and will always remain the same, i.e., love and respect for moms.
Happy Mother’s Day to the extraordinary ladies!
