Mother's Day in China

Mother’s Day, founded by Anna Jarvis in the early twentieth century, has become an international festival and been accepted by many nations.

Before making its way to the Chinese mainland, Mother’s Day was very popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan. In the end of 20th century, Mother’s Day was promoted in China mainland. Each year, on the second Sunday of May, Chinese people express their love to their mothers in variety of ways. Precious jewelry, beautiful carnation, special love desserts and exquisite handmade greeting cards have become the love gifts given to mothers.

Mother’s Day in Chinese Way: Bon-Odori Festival

To a certain extent, Bon-Odori Festival on lunar July 15 can be regarded as China’s “Mother’s Day.” Since Buddhism came to China, a lot of religious habits full of Chinese characteristics have come into being. The Bon-Odori Festival on lunar July 15 was one of them.

“Bon-odori” is a word in Sanskirt, meaning “overhang.” The festival has a story about a filial son named Mulian. According to the legend, Mulian's mother was very vicious and harsh and not respectful of Buddhism, so after her death she was sent to the hell where all the evil souls were punished and never be reincarnated. Mulian was determined to save his mother. With pointers from Sakyamuni, and suffering a lot of bitterness, he finally helped his mother to change by persuasion and saved her. Therefore, on lunar July 15, people have the habits of worshipping their late ancestors and giving gifts to their living mothers.

The Great Mothers in Chinese History

Nu Wa: Mother of the Chinese People

Nu Wa: Creator of Human Being

Nu Wa is the ancestor of all mankind in the mythology of ancient China. As legend goes, she smelted the five-colored stones to mend the firmament, cut off the feet of the great turtle to support the four pillars of the universe, controlled the flood, and drove away fierce beasts so as to let the people live in peace. Another legend says, she made persons out of yellow clay, and married her brother, Emperor Fuxi, turning a relationship of brother and sister into a marriage, and multiplying mankind. Thus, later generations adored her as a goddess of marriage and reproduction, especially in charge of matters of copulation between men and women. Learners of cultural history regard her as a goddess that came into being in the era of worship of the female genital organ.