Carnations are the symbolic flower
of Mother’s Day.
Information from several sources
cite the use of carnations in different colors to indicate whether you are
showing your love and respect for a mother who is alive or has passed. Red and
pink carnations are meant to honor a mother who is alive and white carnations
are used to honor a mother who has passed.
Anna Jarvis, the founder of the
American Mother’s Day, sent more than 500 white carnations to a Mother’s Day
observance in her mother’s hometown in West Virginia after her mother’s
passing.
Excerpt from PennLive/Patriot News:
Philadelphia is the birthplace for
Mother’s Day, the national holiday honoring mothers for the daily sacrifices
they make for their families. It is held on the second Sunday of every month
and falls on May 12 this year.
The holiday was created in 1908 by
Anna Jarvis, who was living in Philadelphia. She was inspired by her own
mother, Ann Jarvis, who created Mothers’ Day Work Clubs in the 1850s. These
clubs were devoted to public health. The elder Jarvis was also famous for
providing medical aid, food and clothing to soldiers on both sides during the
Civil War.
When Ann Jarvis died on May 5, 1905,
her daughter, Anna, wanted something to commemorate her mother and mothers
everywhere.
Three years later, that something turned out to be the first ever Mother’s Day observance. It was held on May 10, 1908 in West Virginia, which is where Jarvis’ mother was from. Jarvis did not attend the event, although she did send over 500 white carnations for the occasion. Jarvis would continually associate carnations with Mother’s Day. In addition to being her own mother’s favorite flower, the white flowers also symbolize the pure nature of a mother’s love.
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In past times, flowers were assigned meanings and to give a flower or nosegay of flowers was to convey a message. In addition to being Anna's mother’s favorite flower, the white flowers also symbolize the pure nature of a mother’s love.
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