According to some sources, dated back to the early spring celebration in ancient Greece, mother’s day was first celebrated to honor Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. Later in modern day, mother’s day has been an annual celebration. This can be attributed to Anna Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe who insist that mother’s day to be celebrated each year in the United States. In another side of the globe, ‘Mothering Sunday’ in the United Kingdom was conventionally a day for people to to to the church, even though nowadays it also celebrates motherhood.
Today mother’s day is celebrated in more than 46 countries around the world. Therefore, many people take this popular affair to honor and tribute all mother’s compassion and support in their lives. The tradition of gifting flowers and cards are very popular on this special day. Although mother’s day is celebrated in different dates and in different ways throughout the world. So here’s several traditions that people do around the world to celebrate this occasion.
France, “Fetes des meres”
People in France celebrate mother’s day in the fourth Sunday in May, unless it overlaps with Pentecost, then it is pushed back a week. This law is written in 1950 where France first establish the “fetes des meres” as an official tribute to mothers. France also give a special family medal known as, “Médaille de la Famille”. This award will be given to some parents whose spouse have been killed or those who have raised several children. Here, mother’s day is not an official public holiday, instead it is only an observance.
United Kingdom, Fourth Sunday of Lent
Mothering Sunday or Mother’s day in United Kingdom was originally a day where people returned to the church where they were baptized as children. The day is celebrated in the fourth Sunday of Lent. Many people make effort to visit their mother in their hometowns where they grew up. While people observed a fast during Lent, on mothering Sunday the fast was lifted a little. Many families prepared Simnel cake. Simnel cake is a traditional light fruit cake with a layer of marzipan baked into the middle of the cake.
Japan, celebrating 母の
Mother’s Day or母の (ha no hi) in Japanese is celebrated on the Second Sunday in May. The kanji word has a special meaning that contribute the tradition of the mother’s day in Japan. ‘日’ is the same kanji for the word Japan. The meaning of this word is sun or day. Hence, Japanese has been known that the character convey children rising early and greet their sun (mother) with warm breakfast and flowers. Flavorful dishes such as tamagoyaki, sushi, or miso are very common prepared by the children to their mothers. Children often give roses or carnations to their mothers in Mother’s Day. Roses are symbol of love, devotion, and beauty. This can also be replaced with pink carnations.
Thailand, birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit
Thai people have a unique tradition of Mother’s Day starting by giving alms to the monks, following with Thai tradition, the children kneel down before their mother to show love and gratitude for their mother’s unconditional love. The children will present white jasmine and garlands as a symbol of purity of mother’s love, and in return the mother will shower her blessing on the children. Thai people celebrate Mother’s Day on August 12 th to also mark the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Queen Sirikit referred as the mother to all Thai people. Therefore, this day is celebrated as Mother’s Day.
Mexico, singing morning serenades
Mother’s Day is celebrated on 10th of May each year in Mexico. When it comes to celebrating Mother’s day, Mexico takes this day very seriously. Children wake up early in the morning and sing their mother beautiful morning serenade. There is also an orchestra plays “Las Mananitas” from mariachi singers along with a mass at the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Mexican children also have a custom to prepare morning meal including ‘tamales’ and ‘atole’ to all the mothers.
Mother’s Day may be celebrated differently throughout the world according to the custom of every country, but it has one single meaning that we all agree that Mother’s day shows us the strong role of a mother in the family who binds all the family together and showers their children with their pure love and effortless compassion to us their children. No matter where you live, giving something back to your mother is common in every country. Shop online in local stores around the world and explore the most beautiful gifts for mother’s day on Sugartrends.
