With an occasion set to bear the honor of mothers and their importance in the lives of their children and families, Mother’s Day is special. Giving flowers is one amongst many of the traditions that this day comes with, perhaps one of the oldest and dearest. But have you ever thought of where this tradition began and the sentiments attached to it? Let us travel down the route of examining the history behind giving flowers on Mother’s Day, steeped in personal sentiment and sociocultural practices. 

The Origins of Mother’s Day

Before we attempt to trace the specific history of flowers on Mother’s Day, it’s really important to understand the origins of the holiday. Now-a-days, Mother’s Day can be traced back to the times when festivals honoring mothers and motherhood were celebrated in ancient civilizations. For example, in ancient Greece, during the spring season, people brought flowers and feasted in honor of Rhea, mother of the gods. On the other hand, Romans celebrated a festival in honor of the mothers called “Hilaria,” during which they threw parades and games around the end of March.

However, the establishment of the holiday was worked out way back in the early 1900s in the United States, and usually, Anna Jarvis from West Virginia is credited for this. After the death of her mother, Anna fought for a national day to be declared to honor mothers and their contribution to society. The first official Mother’s Day was celebrated in honor of Anna’s mother on May 10, 1908, in a church in Grafton, West Virginia. The day became a national holiday in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation setting it to be celebrated on the second Sunday in May every year.

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The  Symbolism of Flowers

Flowers and motherhood have been synonymous for centuries. Flowers symbolize natural beauty, growth, and nurturing, qualities mothers represent so well. By the time Anna Jarvis was trying to convince the world to recognize Mother’s Day in the early part of the twentieth century, the tradition of giving flowers as a display of love and appreciation was already a highly developed practice in many cultures.

Here are the 5 best flowers for Mother’s Day.

1. Roses: The Classic Symbol of Love

Roses must be among the very popular choice of flowers for Mother’s Day, and rightly so. Roses available with Mother’s Day flower delivery in Philadelphia are perhaps the most recognizable flowers, and their representation of love, beauty, and appreciation makes them ideal for any celebration. While red roses are generally equated with love, each color of rose carries its own litany of meaning.

2. Carnations: The Traditional Mother’s Day Flower

Carnations are perhaps the most historically significant flower when it comes to Mother´s Day. In fact, Anna Jarvis, who basically popularized the custom of Mother’s Day offering flowers, used the carnation as the symbol of this holiday. With soft, ruffled petals, carnations embody love, fascination, and distinction. 

3. Lilies: Symbol of Purity and Renewal

Lilies available at flower shops in Philadelphia are very elegant flowers, symbolizing purity, renewal, and motherhood. Their delicate trumpet-like petals and sweet fragrance make them a favorite in arrangements for Mother´s Day. White lilies, in particular, represent purity, while pink lilies signify abundance and prosperity.

4. Tulips: A Cheerful Display of Love and Care

With different colors ranging from red, yellow, purple, pink, or white, tulips brighten up any room with their brightness. They express perfect love, care, and affection, making tulips a perfect choice for Mother’s Day gifts.

5. Daisies: Innocence and Fresh Beginnings

Daisies, being fresh, simple, and representing innocence, purity, and new beginnings, are an awesome representation of a mother´s nurturing qualities. They are also characterized by bright, cheerful petals and green stems that are full of playfulness and happiness. Daisies, which are easily available at your nearby florists in Philadelphia, also symbolize loyalty and love—values so dear to motherhood.

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In history, the act of giving flowers on Mother’s Day has carried deep meanings to express love, thanks, and appreciation. From the early symbolic use of carnations to the commercialized floral arrangements, flowers have been playing a forever important role to honor mothers for the last one hundred years. As we continue to celebrate this cherished day, flower gifting shall remain an ageless and universal gesture that transcends culture and generation. Be it a simple bouquet of roses, a brilliantly contrasting arrangement of daisies, or just one solitary carnation, flowers from Philly Flowers And Edibles shall continue to speak the language of love on Mother’s Day

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