UK holds the prestige of being the first country in the world to dedicate a special day for mothers, as early as 17th century. During that period, Roman and British Empire converted to Christianity and celebration of this day became a part of their Iiturgical calendar. Since then in UK, mother's day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in the month of Lent to honour Virgin Mary, unlike United States of America where it is celebrated on second Sunday of May. Since the days of lent are not fixed, the date for mother's day keeps on changing as well. However, the emotions remain the same. The feelings associated with the day are much alike those in the rest of the world that is to express gratitude towards our mother. It is an opportunity for the children to let their mother know that she is special and loved and cared for.
Mother's day is the contemporary version of the original name - 'Mothering Sunday'. The occasion has a long history, which dates back to as far back as the year 1600. During that time, the poor used to send their children to work as domestic servants or trainees in the homes of higher class of people. Once in a year, these children were given leave for a day, so that they could visit their Mother Church as well as their own mother. The day coincided with the middle Sunday of the fasting period of Lent. It was known as 'Refreshment Sunday' or 'Mid-Lent Sunday'.
The children would visit their Mother Church and then head straight to meet their own mother, with some fresh flowers. While the boys would present their mother with flowers, girls would go a step further by presenting them freshly baked handmade cakes, which were also called 'Simnel Cakes' and hence, the day was even named Simnel Sunday. This day is also known as 'Pudding Pie Day' as it was the day when fasting rules were relaxed to honor the famous Christian Bible story, 'Feeding of the Five Thousand'. On the same Sunday, the Lent robes were changed from purple to rose coloured robes and therefore mother's day is also associated with rose day. With time, the holiday came to be known as 'Mothering Sunday'. The custom of mother's day was halted when the world underwent Industrial revolution, but steeply bounced back after World War II. With time, the fourth Sunday of Lent came to be dedicated to the mothers in UK.
UK, however, has lost the original meaning entitled to the Mothering Day. Nonetheless, the day is celebrated with lot of excitement and enthusiasm. Roses, carnations and chrysanthemums qualify as the most popular flowers on Mothers Day in Great Britain. The people of UK also follow the tradition of making a rich almond cake for their mother, on mother's day, which is often called 'Mothering Cake' or 'Simnel Cake'. UK people pay tribute to their mothers and honour their contribution in their life. They let their mother know that she is very special and holds a very important place in their lives, which no one can replace. Today people go out for lunch or dinner and pamper their mothers by doing all the household tasks themselves. Some popular dishes for this day include, 'Mothering Sunday Buns' made with raisin and butter icing and in northern England they prefer carling, which is a pancake made of steeped peas fried in butter. They even go for a picnic or resort for relaxation.
The sanctity of this day will remain as long as mothers will live. They are among those wonderful human-beings, who support us in our endeavours and without whom we can't do a single thing.
Mother's Day / Mothering Sunday Date UK:
2016 - March 06
2017 - March 26
2018 - March 11
2019 - March 31
Mother's Day has its roots in UK. Go through the article to know how mother's day celebration takes place in Britain.