Mother is said in various ways around the world such as:
France - Mere
Germany - Mutter
Hindi - Maji
Urdu - Umee
English - mummy, mum, mom, ma, mamma, mommy.
Some tribes like the Assam in Africa, don't call themselves families. They call themselves "maharis", or "motherhoods."
Chinese family names are often formed beginning with a sign that means "mother". It's a way of honoring their moms long past.
The ancient Greeks celebrated Mother's Day in spring. They used to honor Rhea, "mother of the gods" with honey-cakes and fine drinks and flowers at dawn.The Greek word "meter" and the Sanskrit word "mantra" mean both mother and measurement.
Japan's Imperial family trace their descent from Omikami Amaterasu, the Mother of the World.
Hindu without mscripture credits the Great Mother, Kali Ma, with the invention of writing through alphabets, pictographs and beautiful sacred images.Buddha honored mothers when he said, "As a mother, even at the risk of her own life, loves and protects her child."In India there is a ten-day festival known as Durga Puja which is held in early October. The festival honors Durga, the "Divine Mother". She is the most important of all Hindu goddesses.
Native American Indian women have long been honored with the name, "Life of the Nation" for their gift of motherhood to the tribes.
Ancient Egyptians believed that "Bast" was the mother of all cats on Earth, and that cats were sacred animals.
As Christianity spread throughout Europe the celebration changed to honor the "Mother Church"--the spiritual power that gave them life and protected them from harm. Over time the church festival blended with the Mothering Sunday celebration. People began honoring their mothers as well as the church.
Children in France spend days drawing a card and practising a poem as a surprise for their mothers. This springtime Sunday is refered to as Fete des Meres, and it provides children and adults throughout France with the opportunity to make their mother the centre of attention, and give her gifts and treats.Mother's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in May. It is treated more like a family birthday. Everyone in the family gathers for a special meal. This may be at home or in a restaurant. At the end of the meal the mother is presented with a cake.
In Sweden Mother's Day is on the last Sunday in May and is a family holiday. The Swedish Red Cross sells small plastic flowers on the days leading up to Mother's Day. The money raised from the sale of the flowers is used to help needy mothers and their children.
In Spain Mother's Day is celebrated on 8th December. It is closely linked to the church, especially to Mary, the mother of Jesus.Special cards are sent for Mother's Day and many of these are made by children. Shops sell chocolates, flowers and other Mother's Day presents, but many children make their own presents for their mothers.
In Portugal Mother's Day is celebrated on 8th December too.
