|
Mothers and mothering have been celebrated throughout history. In ancient Greece there was a celebration honouring mothers as part of the annual spring festival and was dedicated to honouring Rhea, the Mother of Gods.
Early Christians in England celebrated Mothering Day on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honour of the Virgin Mary. However this tradition has largely been replaced in many countries by a tradition that has grown up in America from the Civil War.
During this conflict, Mrs Anna Reeves Jarvis organised a special day for mothers who had sons fighting on both the Union and Confederate sides. Subsequently, Julia Ward Davis, who wrote the hymn Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, organised a meeting for Mothers Day in Boston. By 1907 the idea had grown in popularity leading her daughter, Julia Davis, to campaign to make it a national event in the USA. In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the 2nd Sunday of May as Mothers Day.
In Australia, Mothers Day first seems to have been celebrated in the Burwood Presbyterian Church in 1920. Details were sought regarding the American tradition and a youth group handed out white flowers to all Mothers at the morning service. The wearing of white flowers then grew as more accepted practice. Subsequently it grew to be a day where children were encouraged to do helpful things for their Mother around the home.
Of course Mothers Day has become of commercial interest subsequently. Today the giving of gifts and flowers is common practice. It seems Fathers Day, set at a different time of the year was largely invented for commercial reasons.
Mothers Day is celebrated in many countries. One of the more interesting versions is from Serbia. On a Sunday early in December, parents tie up their children and refuse to release them until they receive promises to be good. The next Sunday is Mothers Day when the children tie up their mother and only release her when she gives them sweets or other goodies. And on the third Sunday, it is Father’s turn and he is only released when he promises the children some more expensive necessities.
Many countries celebrate Mothers Day on the 2nd Sunday in May including: Australia; Begium; Canada; Denmark; Finland; Italy; Japan; Turkey and USA. Some countries celebrate on 10th May. They include: Bahrain; Honk Kong; India; Malaysia; Mexico; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Singapore and United Arab Emirates. In Argentina it is the 2nd Sunday in October; in France and Sweden on the last Sunday in May; in Lebanon the first day of Spring; Norway on the second Sunday in February; and in South Africa the first Sunday in May.
Flowers have continued to be used to mark Mothers Day with yellow and white flowers being traditionally the most popular but with the availability of many flowers all year round, it is really a matter of giving something that will bring pleasure and acknowledgement.
At the Flower Factory, we can offer flower delivery to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. In fact we can organise flowers and gifts for your Mother to anywhere in Australia and internationally. So follow the tradition, and send flowers for Mothers Day.
|
