Celebrating Mother's Day Around the World: Traditions and Origins

Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate one of the most affectionate days of all: Mother's Day. This special day is dedicated to honoring mothers and all maternal figures, such as grandmothers, mothers-in-law, and adoptive mothers, for their unconditional love and constant support they offer to their children. However, despite its global popularity, the date of this celebration varies greatly from country to country, reflecting different cultural and historical traditions. This year it will be celebrated on May 12, let's see why. The ancient origins The celebration of Mother's Day, as we know it today, has its roots in ancient traditions and symbolism linked to the veneration of the maternal figure. These roots extend back in time to find their beginnings in pagan celebrations dedicated to Mother Earth and female deities. In ancient Greece, one of the central figures of these celebrations was Rhea, considered the mother of all the gods of Olympus. Rhea was revered as a goddess of fertility and motherhood, and the Greeks dedicated an annual festival to her during which they offered gifts and paid homage to her figure to thank her for her intercession in creation and procreation. Similarly, in Rome, the figure of Cybele, a mother goddess originally from Asia Minor and later integrated into the Roman pantheon, played a similar role. The celebrations in her honor, known as the Ludi Megalenses, took place in mid-April and included parades, games, and theatrical performances. Why we celebrate today The modern Mother's Day has different origins depending on the geographical context. In the United States, the establishment of the holiday is due to Anna Jarvis, who in 1908 organized a celebration for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia, and then fought for the holiday to be recognized nationally. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day in the USA. Anna Jarvis's intent was to dedicate one day a year to appreciate and honor the sacrifice of mothers who take care of their children. When it is celebrated Mother's Day is celebrated on different days depending on the country. In the United States, for example, it is held on the second Sunday in May, a tradition that has been adopted by other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, the Philippines, and some European countries such as Italy and Germany. Other countries have different dates: for example, in the United Kingdom, the holiday is known as "Mothering Sunday" and falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent. In some Arab countries, the holiday falls on March 21, coinciding with the spring equinox, while in Thailand it is celebrated on the anniversary of Queen Sirikit's birth, August 12. Why the date changes from country to country? The variation of dates in different countries can be attributed to the different cultural, religious, and historical origins of the holiday. For example, in the United Kingdom, "Mothering Sunday" had Christian origins and was the day when faithful returned to their "mother church" for a special service. Over time, it has transformed into a more secular celebration, similar to the American version of Mother's Day. The choice of specific dates can also reflect significant national moments, such as in Thailand where the holiday coincides with the queen mother's birthday. Mother's Day in Italy In Italy, Mother's Day is a highly anticipated annual event, celebrated on the second Sunday in May. This celebration, although now a consolidated tradition, has relatively recent and not entirely linear historical origins. According to some sources, the first attempt to institutionalize a day dedicated to mothers dates back to the fascist period, specifically to 1933, with the "Day of the Mother and Child". This event was set for Christmas Eve and had clear pronatalist purposes, in line with the policies of the regime aimed at increasing the Italian population. This celebration had a more political and demographic than affectionate character. The format of Mother's Day as we know it today began to take shape in the post-war period, more precisely in 1956. It was in that year that Raul Zaccari, at the time senator and mayor of the city of Bordighera, officially inaugurated this festivity. The following year, in 1957, Don Otello Migliosi, a priest from Assisi, organized another similar celebration, contributing to spreading the tradition. Curiosities Despite Anna Jarvis having promoted the creation of Mother's Day, in the last years of her life she strongly opposed the increasing commercialization of the holiday, campaigning against it. Despite Jarvis's protests, flowers, especially daisies and carnations, have become traditional symbols of Mother's Day. Pink carnations are often used to honor living mothers, while white carnations are used to remember those who have passed away. In Ethiopia, the holiday takes place at the end of the rainy season as part of the Antrosht festival, when families come together to sing and eat a special meal.