Every spring in May, shop windows are adorned with colorful bouquets, restaurants display special menus, and children lovingly craft little gifts. Fête des MèresCelebrated today in many countries, the festival has become both an intimate and commercial ritual. But beyond the noodle necklaces and tender messages, this holiday has its roots in a surprisingly ancient and diverse history.
Ancient roots
Long before modern calendars dedicated a Sunday to it, motherhood was already celebrated in ancient times. In Greece, festivities honoring Rhea, the mother of the Olympian gods, symbolized fertility and protection. Among the Romans, it was the goddess Cybele, also associated with motherhood, who was at the heart of spring celebrations called Matronalia, dedicated to women and mothers.
« A mother's heart is an abyss at the bottom of which there is always forgiveness. » Honoré de Balzac
From religious worship to social recognition
Over the centuries, the concept of "Mother's Day" has evolved. In England, Mothering Sunday, celebrated in the 16th century during Lent, allowed servants to return to their home parish to spend the day with their mothers. This day was also an opportunity to offer cakes and pray for the family.
But it was truly at the beginning of the 1908th century that Mother's Day took on a more modern twist, particularly in the United States, thanks to Anna Jarvis. In 1914, this American woman organized a ceremony in memory of her own mother, an activist for women's rights and peace. Her initiative quickly gained momentum, and in XNUMX, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day an official national holiday, celebrated on the second Sunday in May.
« God couldn't be everywhere, so he created mothers. » Jewish proverb
In France, a tribute to mothers of large families
France adopted the idea a little later. In 1920, a "Mother's Day" was organized to reward mothers who had had several children—a symbolic gesture in a post-war context, when birth rates were a national issue. It wasn't until 1950, under the presidency of Vincent Auriol, that Mother's Day became an official celebration, set for the last Sunday in May (or the first Sunday in June if Pentecost fell on the same day).
A universal celebration with many faces
Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in over 70 countries, although the dates vary. In Thailand, it is celebrated in August to coincide with the birthday of Queen Mother Sirikit. In Ethiopia, it is linked to a traditional celebration following the rainy season. Despite cultural differences, the message remains universal: to honor those who give life, educate, love, and pass on their blessings.
« A child's future is the work of his mother. » Napoleon Bonaparte
The mother, timeless muse of art and literature
Motherhood has always inspired artists, writers, and poets, who have seen in the maternal figure a symbol of tenderness, strength, and sacrifice. In literature, Marcel Proust made his mother a central figure, notably in Swann's Way, where the simple goodnight kiss becomes an emotionally charged ritual. In poetry, Victor Hugo is moving with his verses dedicated to his daughter Léopoldine, but it is also in Les Contemplations that he evokes the memory of his own mother with infinite tenderness.
In the visual arts, motherhood is sublimated by the paintings of Mary Cassatt, the great American Impressionist painter, who devoted most of her work to depicting mother-child intimacy. The Virgin and Child, a central motif in Western religious art, has for centuries embodied maternal love in all its sacred dimensions. More recently, cinema has taken up the subject with moving films such as Pedro Almodóvar's All About My Mother, an ode to feminine resilience and unconditional love.
A celebration of true love and marketing
Like Christmas or Valentine's Day, Mother's Day is no exception to commercial reclamation. Florists, jewelers, and supermarkets compete in ingenuity to attract children, spouses, and even businesses. But beyond gifts, this day remains a precious opportunity to say "thank you"—with words, a look, a gesture, or a shared memory.
Every year, the most popular Mother's Day gifts reflect a clever blend of tradition and affection. At the top of the list are flowers, especially roses and peonies, remain a timeless classic. Next come the chocolates Jewelry Custom, Or the vouchers for wellness treatments (massages, spas, beauty boxes).
More and more families are also opting for shared experiences, such as outings or workshops. And of course, the handmade gifts, often made by children, hold a special place in the hearts of mothers: simple, sometimes imperfect, but always filled with sincere love.
« A mother is the only person who loves you before she knows you. » Joan Davis
What if, ultimately, Mother's Day simply reminded us that maternal love, in all its forms, deserves to be celebrated every day?
Ema Lynnx
