『Mothers' Day』 is the day to thank your mother and show appreciation to her by having a meal together and giving her a present or flowers. Red carnations are the most common and famous flowers for this event.

The origins of 『Mothers' Day』 are different in each country. Japan, USA, Germany and many countries celebrate the day on the 2nd Sunday of May. On the other hand, Norway celebrates it on the 2nd Sunday of February, and France and Sweden celebrate it on the last Sunday of May. Japan is following USA's 『Mothers' Day』.

『Mothers’ Day』 in USA started from Anna Jarvis setting a day to praise mothers after her mother passed away. Her mother Ann Jarvis was a social activist created a　volunteering organization to prevent numbers of infants and mothers' deaths from mother-to-child-infections in 1850s. She provided medical and economical supports to poor, sick, and injured people as well as tuberculosis patients. During the American civil war (1861-1865), she took care of solders no matter which side they are on and saved many lives. Ann Jarvis wished for the peace and better lives for everyone as well as setting a day to praise mothers, passed away in 1905.

Ann's daughter Anna Jarvis thought "We should have a day to show our appreciation to our mothers while they are alive.". She held a memorial service for her mother at a cathedral on the closest Sunday to her mother's death anniversary which was in May 1908. White carnations as her mother's favorite flowerers were decorated around the altar. White carnations were also handed to the people attended the ceremony to present the importance of 『Mothers’ Day』. Anna's action moved many people's hearts, and 『Mothers' Day』 was preadded all over USA with supports from a businessman known as the king of departments, John Wanamaker. 『Mothers' Day』 was first sated in the State of West Virginia in 1910 and officially announced by the president Thomas Woodrow Wilson "The 2nd of May is the day, all people in USA to praise their mothers and rise an American flag.".

『Mothers' Day』 introduced to Japan in Meiji-era (1868-1912) from USA and mainly celebrated by Christians up to Taisho-era (1912-1926). MORINAGA confectionary built an association 『Mothers' Day Central Committee』 in Showa 11th (1936) and held 『MORINAGA Mothers' Day event』 at TOSHIMAEN in Showa 12th (1937) soliciting 『Praising mother song』. Applicants over 15,000 applied with a song they made. About 200 thousand mothers and children were invited to the event. The invitations included entering tickets, tickets for snacks, and lottery tickets. It was stated in newspapers and magazines and became popular event held every year in main cities of Japan. Then following USA's culture, 『Mothers' Day』 was officially stated to celebrate on the 2nd Sunday of May in Japan.

The reason carnations chosen as a present for a mother was based on Anna Jarvis's mother's ceremony service using the followers. And according to Christianity, the virgin Mary's tears dropped when Jesus crucified, red carnations grew. So red carnations believed as a representation of love between a mother and a child. Therefore, flowers to chosen as white carnations for a mother passed away, and red carnations for a mother still well.

『Mothers' Day』 this year 2025 is on the 11th of May.
We shall thank our mothers and spend time with her.



Reference: Japan Culture Lab
https://jpnculture.net/hahanohi/