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DID YOU KNOW that Mother's Day has its roots in ancient Greece?
By Dr. Kimberly Selber
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my mom (we talk several times a day) and the joys, and sometimes challenges, of being a mother myself. In May, our sacrifices and devotion to family are officially celebrated with flowers, cards, brunches, and promises to “be good.” But while the Mother’s Day holiday is a 20th-century invention, celebrations honoring motherhood have deep roots stretching back to ancient civilizations.
ANCIENT ROOTS IN GREECE
The tradition of honoring motherhood dates back to ancient Greece, where festivities were held in honor of Rhea, known as the Great Mother of the gods, particularly of Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon, among others. Rhea was revered as a goddess of fertility and motherhood, symbolizing the nurturing aspect of nature.
The festival in honor of Rhea, often held around the time of the Vernal Equinox, involved a variety of rituals. These festivities included offerings of honey cakes, fine drinks, and flowers at dawn, signifying the sweetness and beauty of life and the nourishment provided by mothers. Devotees would gather at her temples, particularly in Crete, where, according to mythology, she hid the infant Zeus to save him from being swallowed by Cronus, his father.
This celebration underscored the societal acknowledgment of the mother’s role in the family and the broader cosmological sense. Mothers were seen as central figures in the continuity of life and the stability of the cosmos, mirroring Rhea’s role in the myths of gods and humanity.
This ancient celebration laid the groundwork for the various cultural recognitions of mothers that would unfold across the globe.
MOTHER’S DAY IN THE UNITED STATES
In the United States, Mother’s Day was formalized by Anna Jarvis in the early 20th century. Motivated by her mother’s death and the work she had done, Jarvis campaigned for a day dedicated solely to mothers. Her efforts bore fruit when President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May Mother’s Day in 1914. This day is typically marked by giving flowers and cards and spending quality time with one’s mother.
CELEBRATION IN MEXICO
In Mexico, Dia de las Madres is celebrated on May 10th regardless of the day of the week. Just as ancient cultures venerated the goddess, as Christianity spread throughout the world, it turned to honoring the Virgin Mary. In 1922, Mexican journalist Rafael Alducín advocated for the day to become a national holiday, and Mexico was the first Latin American country to officially recognize Mother’s Day as a federal holiday. The Mexican tradition emphasizes familial respect and veneration, often beginning with a morning serenade of the song “Las Mañanitas” to wake the mother. The day is filled with gatherings, church services, meals, and of course, gifts.
MOTHER’S DAY AROUND THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM: Mothering Sunday, which falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Originally it was a day when people returned to their “mother” church.
THAILAND: Mother’s Day is celebrated on August 12th, the birthday of Queen Kirikit, with ceremonies and parades.
INDIA: Mother’s Day is marked by small, intimate family gatherings and the giving of gifts.
JAPAN: Mother’s Day in Japan involves children giving gifts of flowers, particularly red carnations and hand-made items, showcasing deep respect and appreciation.
ETHIOPIA: During the rainy season, Ethiopians celebrate Mother’s Day as part of the three-day Antrosht festival, filled with large meals and stories.
FRANCE: Typically celebrated on the last Sunday in May, unless it coincides with Pentecost. French Mother’s Day, “Fête des Mères,” often involves a family dinner and gifting of cakes or flowers.
BRAZIL: In Brazil, Mother’s Day is one of the most commercial holidays, second only to Christmas.
