Mother’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world, although on different dates. The modern form we recognise now originated in the United States, observed on the second Sunday in May. In the UK, Mother’s Day is also known as Mothering Sunday and is held in March, usually the fourth Sunday of Lent.

The Italians make a big heart-shaped cake when La Festa Della Mamma comes around in May, and mother gets a day of rest. In Thailand, Mother’s Day is on 12th August, the same day as Queen Sirikit Kitayakara’s birthday. In Spain, Mother’s Day is closely associated with Mother Mary, Jesus’ mother and is held on 8th December.

In Sweden, Mother’s Day is in May and is a family holiday. The Swedish Red Cross sells flowers on the days leading up to Mother’s Day and the money is used to help needy mothers and children. It’s called Materice in Serbia and is celebrated two weeks before Christmas. In the morning, children sneak into their mother’s bedroom and tie her up! She begs them to untie her, giving them sweets and presents from under her pillow. Native American Indian women have for many years been honoured with the name Life of the Nation for their gift of motherhood to the tribes.

The Celtic symbol for motherhood is the triskelion, a triple spiral which represents the three archetypal phases of womanhood: youthful innocence, nurturing compassion, and wisdom.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there.

Happy Puzzling!