Mother’s Day Origins
Everywhere around the world, people choose to celebrate a day to honor the woman who took care of them, who mentored them, and raised them. There is flower-arranging, letter-writing, meals eaten with the person one cherishes, and presents being given.
March, April, or May?
Nonetheless, regardless of the ubiquitous nature of the emotions, Mother’s Day is not necessarily observed on the same day across the globe. In the United States, as well as in other nations that follow the same traditions and culture, Mother’s Day is observed in May. In the UK and Ireland, Mother’s Day is celebrated earlier in the year, towards the end of March or early April.
This difference isn’t coincidental. Rather, it all goes back to two vastly different historical traditions that ultimately merged to the same emotional destination: celebrating motherhood. Knowing the basis for the differing dates helps to shed some light on how Mother’s Day became what it is today, and why lovely gifts, especially jewelry, became such a part of the celebration.
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This difference isn’t coincidental. Rather, it all goes back to two vastly different historical traditions that ultimately merged to the same emotional destination: celebrating motherhood. Knowing the basis for the differing dates helps to shed some light on how Mother’s Day became what it is today, and why lovely gifts, especially jewelry, became such a part of the celebration.
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Anna Jarvis, the founder of modern Mother’s Day
To honor her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, a woman who dedicated her entire life to improving health conditions for families and supporting other mothers, Anna decided to create a unique day to honor her and recognize the love, dedication, and sacrifice mothers make for their loved ones. In 1908, Anna organized the first official Mother’s Day in West Virginia, at first not many people supported her idea, but everything changed in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
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Why May?
The selection of May was deliberate and symbolic:
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- The season was spring, with a full display of spring. Spring is a metaphor for life.
- The season was emotionally congruent with appropriate ideas of renewal and care.
- May would be an important month for Jarvis, as it was the month when her mom had passed away
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Why the UK and Ireland Celebrate at a Different Time
Even though most countries in the world have followed the tradition marked in May, countries like the UK and Ireland never got to follow the tradition because they had already developed their own tradition, a tradition much older than that of Mother's Day. This tradition is known as Mothering Sunday.
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The Origins of Mothering Sunday
The origins of Mothering Sunday can be traced back to the Middle Ages in England. It was traditionally celebrated as a Christian festival and not as a secular family festival. It was observed on the fourth Sunday in Lent, which was a fasting season.
On this day, people were reminded to attend their Mother Church, which referred to the principal church or cathedral in the area. The term "mother" gradually began to convey different shades of meaning. Because many workers worked away from home as servants or apprentices, Mothering Sunday was a chance for them to go home, and of course, they went home to see their families or their mothers, etc.
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On this day, people were reminded to attend their Mother Church, which referred to the principal church or cathedral in the area. The term "mother" gradually began to convey different shades of meaning. Because many workers worked away from home as servants or apprentices, Mothering Sunday was a chance for them to go home, and of course, they went home to see their families or their mothers, etc.
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How Mother's Day Is Celebrated Today
In all countries and cultures, the celebrations of Mother’s Day have established a traditional pattern. While the traditions vary, some phenomena recur again and again:
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- Family meals or gatherings
- Flowers as a Symbol of the Season
- Thoughtful gifts, chosen with intent.
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The Shift Towards Personalized Jewelry
The gifting style during the recent years for Mother’s Day has shown a significant shift towards the aspect of personalization. Items such as a piece of personalized jewelry that bears a name, initials, a birthstone, or a special date symbolize significant meaning with respect to Mother’s Day celebrations, as in contrast to trends, personal belongings are relationship-oriented.
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