Of Mothers and Mums: The Blooming Origins of Mother’s Day
Ah, Mother’s Day—an annual excuse to shower your mum with love, chocolates, and, of course, chrysanthemums. But have you ever paused mid-bouquet to wonder why we give flowers to the woman who spent years putting up with our tantrums, questionable fashion choices, and general chaos? Let’s take a quick historical stroll (no, you don’t need comfy shoes) through the origins of Mother’s Day—and why “mums” are the floral MVP of this occasion.
A Little Interesting History.
Mother’s Day may seem like a modern Hallmark holiday, but its roots go way, way back. We’re talking ancient Greeks and Romans who threw festivals for mother goddesses like Rhea and Cybele. Think of it as a divine spa day with extra wine and sacrificial offerings. Fast-forward to 17th-century England and “Mothering Sunday” emerged, a day when servants were allowed to return home and bring flowers to their mothers. And yes, probably to do laundry too.
But the Mother’s Day we recognize today came courtesy of American activist Anna Jarvis in the early 20th century. In 1908, she held a memorial for her own mother and launched a campaign to create a national holiday. By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed it into law. Ironically, Anna later hated how commercial it became. (Anna, if you're reading this from the afterlife—yes, people are still buying cards with glitter.)
So Why the Chrysanthemums?
Enter the star of the show: chrysanthemums. First of all, in many countries—like Australia—Mother’s Day lands in May (except in the UK, where Mother’s Day is held in March), when chrysanthemums are in glorious full bloom. Convenient, yes. Coincidence? Maybe. But it gets better.
Chrysanthemums are affectionately called mums for short. See what we did there? Mums for mums. It’s poetic, it’s punny, and it’s perfect.
In addition, these hardy blooms symbolize longevity, loyalty, and love in various cultures. In Japan, chrysanthemums are even considered a noble flower. And let’s be honest, if anyone deserves nobility status, it’s the woman who found your lost socks for 15 years straight.
In Conclusion: Send the Mums to Mum
So whether you’re honoring a birth mother, bonus mom, plant mom, or any nurturing soul in your life, don’t just say it with words—say it with mums. They’re bright, joyful, and just a little bit extra. Kinda like her.
And if you forgot to buy flowers this year? Just remind her that Anna Jarvis hated the commercialization anyway.