| 01 May 2006
Mother’s Day, a popular occasion for giving flowers, is just around the corner. Have you ever wondered where Mother’s Day traditions began?Flowers have been associated with Mother's Day from the beginning. Even in the ancient world, the Mother Goddesses were celebrated with garlands of flowers. The Romans welcomed the month of May by dedicating the month to Flora, the Roman flower goddess.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, young children would leave home to go to work. For most of the year they did not get to see their families. During Lent, the children were allowed to return home for a weekend. This became known as "going a-mothering." They walked the roads picking spring wildflowers to give to their mothers.
Anna Jarvis made Mother's Day an official national holiday in the U.S. Anna's mother, who died on May 9th, 1905, had attempted to establish "Mother's Friendship Days" after the civil war. On May 10th, 1908, a special service honoring mothers both living and deceased was held.
Anna sent thousands of carnations, her mother’s favorite flowers, to be given at the Mother's Day services she started. White carnations were chosen to represent the sweetness, purity and endurance of motherly love. Red carnations became the symbol of a living mother. White ones now signify that one's mother has died.
In 1914, congress proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
Flowers have become an almost universal way to send Mother's Day wishes.
The top Mother’s Day bouquets to give are*:
1. Mixed bouquets
2. Carnations
3. Daffodils
4. Roses
5. Tulips
6. Freesia
7. Potted chrysanthemums
8. Iris
9. Lily
10. Foliage plants
*From the UK Flowers & Plant Association