A Brief History of Mother’s Day
Every year, we pause, often with flowers, a card, or something more personal, to tell Mum just how much she means to us. But have you ever wondered where this tradition began, or why so many cultures dedicate a special day to mothers?
The Mother’s Day we know today feels modern, but its roots are much older and full of meaning. The official holiday was born from the love and determination of Anna Jarvis, who, after losing her own mother, campaigned to create a day that honoured the sacrifices and quiet strength of mothers everywhere. In 1914, her vision came to life when the United States declared Mother’s Day an official holiday. It didn’t take long for the idea to ripple across the world.
But long before Hallmark cards and Sunday brunches, ancient civilisations were already celebrating the powerful role of mothers. The Greeks, for example, held festivals in honour of Rhea, the mother of all gods. These weren’t small gatherings, they were vibrant, joyful occasions filled with offerings and rituals. The Romans followed suit with their own festival, Hilaria, dedicated to Cybele, another mother goddess. It was a time of feasting and parades, blending gratitude with lively celebration.
In the UK, the story took a slightly different turn. “Mothering Sunday,” which originally had little to do with mums, was a day for people to return to their ‘mother church’ during Lent. Over time, this evolved into something warmer and more familiar: a day when children working away from home would return with fresh-picked flowers or small tokens of thanks for their mothers. It’s a tradition that still holds today, especially in more traditional parts of the UK.
Other countries have shaped the day in their own ways. In Mexico, Mother’s Day always falls on 10 May, and the celebrations are loud, heartfelt, and full of music and food. In Japan, “haha no hi” (母の日) is marked with the giving of red and pink carnations, symbols of a mother’s enduring love and care.
No matter where you are in the world, the message is beautifully universal: mothers are worth celebrating. Whether through ancient rituals or modern gestures, we’ve always found ways to show the women who raised us that they matter.
And while a simple ‘thank you’ can mean everything, many of us look for a gift that feels personal; a way to create a moment of calm, joy, or indulgence in return for all the moments she’s given us. However you mark Mother’s Day this year, what matters most is the love behind it.
(PS. Don’t worry, we have a history of Fathers Day in the works, too!)
Sources:
- National Geographic – Mother’s Day History and Traditions
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-of-mothers-day - History.com – Mother’s Day: Origins and History
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mothers-day - BBC – What is Mothering Sunday?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/motheringsunday_1.shtml - Britannica – Mother’s Day
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mothers-Day - Time Magazine – The Story Behind Mother’s Day
https://time.com/4310885/mothers-day-history-origin/