Mother's Day in Germany

Second Sunday or first Sunday of May celebrates the day of motherhood. Traditionally, mothers' day in Germany is celebrated on the second Sunday of May but if Pentecost falls on the same day then the day of honoring mothers gets pre-phoned to first Sunday of May. Germans call it Muttertag in their language. To recognise the role and importance of motherhood, the government of the Deutsches Reich introduced the Cross of Honour of the German Mother, also known as Mutterehrenkreuz in 1938. Thereafter, the mother cross was presented principally on mother's day. Just like Americans and Canadians, the people of Germany also follow the tradition of wearing different coloured carnations to honor their mothers. White colored carnation is worn to honor the mother who has died while the living mothers are revered with red colored carnations. Gifts, chocolates and flowers are quite common. Some children take their mothers to brunch or dinner and many others cook at home, which is quite special. Here given are some traditions and customs on mother's day celebration in Germany. Check out.

How Is Mother's Day Celebrated In Germany
German poet and philosopher, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said"Von Vater hab ich die Statur, des Lebens ernstes Führen, von Mütterchen die Frohnatur und Lust zu fabulieren."

"Of father, I have the statue, life serious leading, of mother the happy nature and desire to fabulieren".

In the middle ages, there was a Sunday in Thuringia (one of 16 federal areas of Germany) when, with the beginning of spring season, relatives used to visit and congratulate each other. Spring was associated with the beginning of life that women gave to humankind. Nobody worked, everybody went to parents' place, and mothers were blessed by natives on that day.

Germany celebrates its mother's day on the second Sunday of May as it is celebrated in most of the countries. Germany observed its first mother's day or 'Muttertag', in the year 1922. But it was declared an official German holiday in 1933 on the second Sunday of May. Mother's day earned a lot of significance as part of the Nazi motherhood cult under the Hitler regime. There was a tradition of giving away medals-das Mutterkreuz-in bronze, silver, and gold, awarded to mothers who produced children for the Vaterland or Father's land. The medal was nicknamed "Karnickelorden," the "Order of the Rabbit." After World War II, the German holiday became a more unofficial one that took on the cards-and-flowers elements of the U.S. mother's day. In Germany, if mother's day happens to fall on Pfingstsonntag (Pentecost), the holiday is moved to the first Sunday in May. So it is often said that the idea of celebrating modern mother's day came to Germany from America in the beginning of the 20th century.

Mother's day in Germany is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. It is a holiday to express love and gratitude to mothers and make them feel special. People congratulate and thank their mothers for everything they do, say good wishes, and give them flowers and presents. Today many German children compliment their moms with mother's day cards and e-cards. They also give their mothers small souvenirs, pleasant presents and unexpected surprises. But as you know the main gift for any mom is children's attention. On mother's day German families try to be together, especially for a wonderful meal. How about checking out some best and easy food ideas from the Geman buffet?

Recipes Ideas

Mother's Day Date Germany:
2016 - May 08
2017 - May 14
2018 - May 13
2019 - May 12