Mother’s Day: From a religious observance to a national celebration

An annual celebration of mothers and motherhood dates back to ancient times. Roman and Greek deities, akin to our idea of ‘Mother Earth’, were worshipped and celebrated.

However, our Mothering Sunday traditions are rooted in the Christian calendar. Unlike some modern celebrations, created to sell commercial greetings cards, Mother’s Day has evolved from religious observance to a national celebration of mothers.

Mothering Sunday takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent, originally a day when the faithful would return to their ‘mother church’ — the main church or cathedral of the area they grew up in – to honour the Virgin Mary. It was a rare day off for servants and agricultural workers, who were also allowed to visit their families, including of course their mothers. In the 16th century, as they travelled to see their families, people would pick wildflowers to give to their mothers, beginning the tradition of gifting.

The importance of the day continued into the 17th century, but began to wane with the advent of the Industrial Revolution. Many of the old customs and traditions began to fade as people moved away from agricultural communities into the new cities for work.

Today, Mother’s Day has evolved into an opportunity to honour mothers with cards, gifts, and flowers, as well as family gatherings. The evolution from a church attendance day to a more general celebration of motherhood certainly reflects broader changes in society. However, the core meaning of the celebration remains - an appreciation and recognition of mothers and their continual and positive influence on our lives.

The spirit of Mothering Sunday has stood the test of time. Its historical significance is deeply intertwined with the notion of family reunion, and today it serves as a reminder of the power of mothers to bond and bring families together. Even as society changes, with families now often including ‘mother figures’ instead of or as even as well as biological mothers, the mothering role is important and powerful. At its best it is a day of joy, reflection, and gratitude, acknowledging the profound impact mothers and mother figures have on their children’s lives and society as a whole.

Mothering Sunday is a wonderful excuse to spoil the mother of your family. It’s an opportunity to make her feel special. Small things can make a big difference - an unexpected phone call, a surprise delivery, or a simple ‘thank you’ for all the little things she does – remember how important she is.

And consider using the supporters of this feature to give your mum an extra special day next Sunday!

Say it with flowers

Flowers are a traditional Mother’s Day gift and can carry deep meanings. Here’s a quick guide to some popular flowers and what they symbolise on this special day, helping you add a personal touch to your floral gift.

Carnation: The quintessential Mother’s Day flower, long-lasting carnations come in hues that tell different tales. Pink for love and gratitude, red for admiration, and white as a nod to the memory of those who came before us.

Daffodil: Epitomising rebirth, motherhood, and fresh starts, bright yellow daffodils are perfect for heralding spring and new chapters, making them ideal for new mums or celebrating the eternal bond of love.

Gerbera: These colourful daisy-like flowers bring joy and brightness to any bouquet and symbolise purity, innocence and beauty. Like sunflowers, gerbera turn towards the sun as they grow.

Lily: Flamboyant and elegant lilies have various symbolic meanings. White lilies are associated with purity, renewal and rebirth, giving them a role in grief and mourning. Pink lilies express admiration and gratitude and yellow ones friendship and joy.

Rose: Beyond the classic romantic reds, roses convey varied sentiments. Pink roses express gratitude and joy, while yellow ones celebrate figures who nurture us with friendship and care.

Tulip: A bouquet of tulips can brighten your mother’s day with their vibrant colours and some varieties have a lovely fragrance. Each colour conveys a different emotion - red for love, white for forgiveness, and purple for dignity.

Ranuncula: With thin and delicate rose-like petals, their whimsical ruffles embody charm, joy, and optimism, ensuring you secure ‘favourite child’ status. These beautiful blooms come in a variety of colours from pale yellow and cream to dark red and burgundy.

Violet: Symbolising love, dreams, healing, and courage, violets offer encouragement and support during challenging times, making them a thoughtful gesture for any mum needing a lift. A posy of wild violets was a traditional gift picked by servants walking home to see their families. White violets symbolise purity or innocence.