Frilly, luscious and soft, you can’t deny the beauty of Carnations. These delicate blooms also go by other names such as Dianthus and “Flower of the Gods”. It is no wonder why Carnations ranks as one of the most popular flowers in the world, alongside other favorites like Roses and Lilies.
So why are Carnations so closely tied to Mother’s Day and not Roses or Tulips?
Well, this dates back to the early 1900s when Mother’s Day was first celebrated in America. The idea to set aside a day to honor the sacrifices, dedication and love Mothers give to their family, was first conceived by Anna Jarvis. With a large bundle of her Mother’s favorite Carnations in hand, she went to church on the 2nd Sunday of May and distributed them to the Mothers who were in attendance. Paired with what Carnations generally represent (love, a Mother’s love), the gesture of gifting Carnations on Mother’s Day quickly caught on, and the rest as they say, is history!
As you may have also noticed, Mother’s Day is not exactly celebrated on a specific date, but rather a day of the month, 2nd Sunday of May to be exact. This also goes for Father’s Day, which is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June.
Carnations don’t quick tickle your fancy for Mother’s Day? Read about other flower related articles here.