Mother’s Day: History and Significance of Mother’s Day Celebration

Like many traditions and festivities, Mothering Sunday began with a
religious purpose. Held on the fourth Sunday in Lent, exactly three
weeks before Easter Sunday, it was a originally a day to honor and give
thanks to the Virgin Mary, also known as Mother Mary. Such celebrations
required people to visit their 'mother' church - the main church or
cathedral in a family's area. The spread of Christianity throughout
Europe in the 16th century increased the celebrations and firmly put
Mothering Sunday on the calendar. It was believed to be essential for
people to return to their home 'mother' church to make it a true family
honored occasion. The gatherings reunited families and gave children
who worked as domestic servants, or as apprentices away from home (from
as early as ten years old), the opportunity to have the day off to join
their family and see their mother.

History of Mother’s Day celebration: Present Day Celebrations

Mother’s Day History: Mother’s Day is celebrated in a number of
countries including the US, the UK, Finland, India, Japan, Denmark,
Italy, Turkey, Australia, Mexico, Canada, China and Belgium. People take
the day as an opportunity to pay acknowledgment to their mothers and
thank them for all their constant love and support. The day has become
immensely popular and in several countries phone lines witness maximum
traffic. There is also a ritual and tradition of gifting flowers,
chocolates, customized cups, cards and others gift to mothers on the
Mother’s Day. The festival has become commercialized to a great extent.
Florists, card manufacturers and gift sellers see vast business
potential in the day and make good money through a rigorous advertising
campaign.

Earliest History of Mother’s Day

The earliest history of Mother’s Day dates back to the ancient annual
spring festival of the Greeks dedicated to motherly goddesses. The
Greeks used the event to honor Rhea, wife of Cronus and the mother of
many deities of Greek mythology. Ancient Romans too, celebrated a spring
festival, called Hilaria devoted to Cybele, a mother goddess. It may be
noted that ceremonies in uprightness of Cybele began some 255 years
before Christ was born. The merriment made on the Ides of March by
making offerings in the sanctuary of Cybele lasted for three days and
included parades, competitions and masquerades. The celebrations were
notorious enough that followers of Cybele were evacuated from Rome.