Did You Know: Mother's Day Falls On Different Dates Around The World
The world loves mums, just on different days.
Cover image via Most of us in Malaysia celebrate Mother's Day in May, but not every country follows the same calendar
Chances are, you've probably celebrated Mother's Day with dinner, flowers, or a handmade card the second Sunday of May, and assumed the whole world does the same.
But that's not quite true. In fact, different countries observe Mother's Day on totally different dates. While a lot of countries have adopted the May version (which originated from the US), plenty of places, especially in Asia, have their own Mother's Day traditions.
Here's how Mother's Day is celebrated across the globe:
1. In Thailand, it's a national holiday tied to the Queen Mother's birthday
In Thailand, Mother's Day falls on 12 August, the birthday of Queen Sirikit, who is considered the symbolic "Mother of the Nation". It's a full-blown public holiday, and the celebrations are pretty formal. Many schools hold ceremonies where students kneel before their mums to show respect.
Jasmine flowers, a symbol of purity, are the traditional gift. On this day, people wear blue clothing and decorate homes and streets in blue, the colour that represents Queen Sirikit, as a tribute to her and all mothers.
Image via Sarnelli House Foundation
2. In Indonesia, it's celebrated in December to honour women's contributions
Indonesians mark Hari Ibu on 22 December, commemorating the first Indonesian Women's Congress in 1938. So while the day celebrates mothers, it's also a broader tribute to women's rights and roles in society.
Celebrations range from official ceremonies and awards to more personal gestures like flowers or public tributes. It's common to see posters in schools and neighbourhoods with messages like "Ibu adalah pahlawan keluarga" (Mum is the family's hero).
Image via Polina Kuzovkova/Unsplash
3. In Nepal, Mother's Day involves pilgrimage and ancestral rituals
In Nepal, Mother's Day is called Mata Tirtha Aunsi and follows the lunar calendar, usually falling in April or May. People honour their mothers with gifts and home visits, but there's a deeper layer to it as well.
For those whose mothers have passed, it's tradition to visit Mata Tirtha, a sacred pond near Kathmandu. There, people perform rituals to remember and thank their mothers, believing it brings peace to their souls.
Image via The Kathmandu Post
4. In South Korea, they combine it with Father's Day as Parents' Day
In Korea, Parents' Day on 8 May covers both mum and dad. Children usually give carnations, either pinned to their parents' shirts or presented in pretty boxes, along with handwritten letters or performances at school.
The tone is more heartfelt than commercial. Instead of big sales or flashy promotions, the focus is on sincere gestures and quiet emotion, the kind you'd expect from a tearjerker K-drama.
Image via Working Times
5. In Myanmar, it's celebrated during a Buddhist festival
While Myanmar doesn't have an official Mother's Day, many people show appreciation during Thadingyut, the Festival of Lights that marks the end of Buddhist Lent. It is usually in October or November.
It's a time for younger people to seek forgiveness from their elders and show gratitude — including to their mothers — through symbolic gifts, food offerings, or the lighting of candles in their honour.
Image via Shanta Foundation
6. In the UK, it's called Mothering Sunday and happens in March
Unlike the rest of the world, the UK celebrates Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which usually falls in March. Originally, it was about returning to your "mother church" during the fasting period.
Over time, the focus shifted from religious roots to appreciating actual mums. Mothers in the UK can expect spring flowers, especially daffodils, a traditional roast, and plenty of scones or tea.
Image via SouthWorks/Canva Teams
7. In many Arab countries, Mother's Day is tied to the first day of spring
In countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and the UAE, Mother's Day falls on 21 March, the first day of spring. It was introduced by journalist Mustafa Amin in the 1950s and quickly gained traction.
It's often celebrated with emotional poems, gifts, and social media posts. While it's not a religious event, it holds deep cultural resonance and is widely embraced.
Image via FatCamera/Canva Teams
8. In Ethiopia, Mother's Day is part of a post-rainy season celebration called Antrosht
Families come together from across the country to feast, sing, and honour their mothers. It's less about buying stuff and more about showing love through food and presence which, honestly, is something many Asian mums would totally approve of.
Image via WEEMA International (Facebook)
Dates may differ, but the love is universal
Ultimately, every version of Mother's Day reflects something about how that culture sees motherhood. Some are quiet and spiritual, others full of song and ceremony. But at the heart of it all is the same idea, gratitude, care, and love for our mothers.
Maybe it's a good reminder that any day can be Mother's Day!
Image via PNW Production/Pexels
