Anna Jarvis began to campaign for a nationwide observance of MOTHER'S DAY. And began the custom of wearing a carnation.
*colored carnation-when mother's still living
*white carnation-when mother's dead
In US, the 2nd Sunday of May honors motherhood.
Also, Mother Carey is changed to Mater Cara which means Tender Mother or Dear Mother, an expression of Levantine sailors. This refers to Virgin Mary so they called petrels "Mother Carey's Chicken"......the entire expression meant "snow", referring to the white of petrels feathers. Petrel is a small sea bird or any one of various other petrels that fly far out to sea.
(World Book-Thorndike)
