Mother's Day traditions around the World

For most of us, Mother's Day means a visit, flowers, a card, and a video call if you're living far from your mum. However, it may not be the same throughout The Globe. Hooray Heroes looked into Mother's Day traditions around the World.

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India

Although most people in India observe Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May, there's an older Hindu tradition that precedes it. In October, the Hindu Bengali community celebrates Durga Puja, a 10-day festival honouring Durga, the goddess of mothers.

The festival that dates back to the 16th century is both a religious holiday and a time spent with family. People spend days preparing for this variation of Mother's Day by cooking meals for extended families and decorating their homes.

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France

In the year following WWI, the French government started awarding medals to mothers of large families to thank them for helping to rebuild the population of France after the huge death tolls during the war.

French mayors still award "Médaille de la Famille" to mums of at least 4 kids today, traditionally on Mother's Day. 

Japan

The traditional version of Mother's Day is celebrated on March 6, remembering the birthday of Empress Kojun, the mother of Japan's emperor Akihito. It became widely celebrated after WWII to console the mothers who had lost their sons during the war.

Traditionally, children would gift their mum red carnations on Mother's Day, symbols of the devotion and persistence of mothers in Japanese culture. White carnations are traditionally put on mother's grave on Mother's Day.

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Italy

In Italy, Mother's Day is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in May.

Traditionally, mums aren't allowed to do any work around the house on their special day. They do get cards and flowers, but gifts are given to Italian mums only because of the influence of American Mother's Day.

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Ethiopia

In early fall, when the rainy season comes to an end, The Ethiopians gather for the Antrosht festival.

Family members gather at their homes for a meal and a celebration dedicated to mothers. Daughters traditionally bring vegetables and sons supply the meat. The family then prepares the meal together and honours mothers with dance and song. 

The Arab World

In Arab countries, Mother's Day doesn't only honour biological mothers but is dedicated to all motherly figures.

They celebrate Mother's Day on March 21, the first day of spring, when Mother Earth itself comes to life. Children customarily kiss their mother's hand to show her their love and respect. The whole family would also sing a song to the women of the family, be it mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, aunts, etc.

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United Kingdom

In the UK, Mother's Day is called Mothering Sunday and it's celebrated exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday.

British Mother's Day honours all mother figures and it comes from an old tradition of people visiting the church where they were baptized once per year. Traditionally, British kids would take a basket of goodies to their mothers, including a Simnel cake. The dessert associated with Lent is made of a rich fruit cake and covered in a thin layer of marzipan.

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