Every second Sunday in May, millions of people in the Western world buy flowers, write cards, book family lunches and post photos on social media to pay tribute to their mothers. But where did this tradition come from, and how did it go from a spiritual celebration to a commercial phenomenon?

The origin of Mother's Day is not unique to modernity. Since ancient times, civilizations have worshipped the mother figure. In classical Greece, festivals were held in honor of Rhea, mother of the gods of Olympus, while in Rome the festival known as Hilaria honored Cybele, mother goddess of nature.

Later, with the spread of Christianity, these practices were adapted. In the United Kingdom, Mothering Sunday emerged in the 16th century, celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, a date on which the faithful returned to their mother church and took the opportunity to visit their mothers. According to Wikipedia, this tradition evolved and is still in force today in the British calendar.

The national holiday

The contemporary version of Mother's Day emerged in the United States in the early 20th century. It was prompted by Anna Jarvis, who organized the first official event in West Virginia in 1908 to commemorate her deceased mother. After an intense campaign, in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation establishing the second Sunday in May as the official date to honor the nation's mothers.

However, Jarvis' dream soon became her nightmare. As The New York Post recalls, Jarvis ended up repudiating the way the holiday was taken over by commerce. She protested against the sale of flowers, cards and chocolates, and even got arrested for demonstrating at public events.

In Latin America: a date that blooms in May

Although each country has its own tradition, most Latin American nations also celebrate Mother's Day in May. In Mexico, for example, the date was officially set on May 10 in 1922, thanks to a campaign by journalist Rafael Alducin. As reported by The Houston Chronicle, it is one of the most important celebrations of the year, marked by serenades, meals and public tributes.

In Spain, the date is celebrated on the first Sunday of May. It was originally commemorated on December 8, the day of the Immaculate Conception, but in 1965 it was moved to the spring month for both religious and commercial reasons, according to AS.

Sincere celebration or million-dollar business?

Over time, the date became a golden opportunity for consumption. As History.com points out, Mother's Day is one of the holidays with the greatest commercial impact in the United States, behind only Christmas and Valentine's Day. Sales of flowers, jewelry, food and cards skyrocket, and brands take advantage to launch emotional campaigns that reinforce the mother-child bond.

Despite the constant criticism of commercialization, many people insist that the original meaning is still alive: to show affection to the one who often silently sustains the family. For some mothers, a simple hug or a homemade breakfast has more value than an expensive gift.

Although originally deeply spiritual, the celebration has mutated over the centuries, adapting to cultural, political and economic contexts. But the central idea remains: to recognize the importance of mothers in our lives.

And while the calendar dictates that May is Mother's Month, for many, any day is a good day to say "thank you".