By: Yomna Walid&nbsp;
Photo Credit:&nbsp;Freepik
"The sun&rsquo;s rays enter through the window to kiss your forehead and bless you on your special day. The garden birds wake up early to sing for you, and the lotus flowers bloom in your honor. The butterflies dance joyfully, flitting between the flowers to celebrate your day. Today is your day, Mother, so do not forget to pray for me. Amun has said that the prayers of children do not reach the ears of the heavens unless they come from their mother&rsquo;s lips. Today is your day, Mother."
These touching words were found on an ancient papyrus, revealing how deeply Egyptian children cherished their mothers.
The Discovery of Love on Papyrus Egyptian tour guide Norhan Kilany, speaking to Nile FM about Mother&rsquo;s Day, shared a fascinating discovery from Tell el-Amarna. Among the ancient papyri, one beautifully captured a child&rsquo;s love for his mother, describing how flowers and lotus blossoms would bloom at the mere sight of her. The emotions recorded on these fragile sheets reveal the profound respect and affection ancient Egyptians had for their mothers. The Word &lsquo;Set&rsquo;&mdash;A Title of Honor Today, the Arabic word Set (ست) is commonly used to refer to a lady. But in ancient Egypt, it had a far greater meaning&mdash;it signified a goddess, a noblewoman, or a figure of utmost reverence. Even today, when we say a mother is the rabba (ربة) of the house, we acknowledge her as the foundation of the home, deserving of all respect and admiration. A Mother&rsquo;s Prayers Reach the Gods In ancient Egypt, mothers were believed to hold divine power in their words. Pharaohs advised their children never to forget their mothers in their prayers, and priests would often say: &ldquo;Do good for your mother because when she prays for you, God listens only to her words.&rdquo; A mother&rsquo;s voice was sacred, carrying love and blessings that were directly heard by the gods. Mothers and the Life-Giving Nile Motherhood wasn&rsquo;t just recorded on papyrus&mdash;it was embedded in nature itself. The Nile, the source of life for ancient Egypt, was often compared to a mother. Just as the river&rsquo;s floodwaters brought nourishment to the land, a mother provided love, care, and sustenance to her children. This is why Mother&rsquo;s Day in Egypt was traditionally linked to the cycle of the Nile&rsquo;s floods&mdash;a tribute to the giving nature of motherhood.
Isis: The Goddess of Motherhood The ancient Egyptians revered motherhood so much that they dedicated goddesses to symbolize it. Isis, the ultimate mother figure, was often depicted nursing her child, embodying the essence of care and devotion. Similarly, Hathor, the goddess of fertility and love, was honored in the month following the Nile&rsquo;s flood, a time associated with renewal and giving. A Sacred Tribute in Every Home In ancient Egypt, every mother was honored with a small statue of Isis in her room, surrounded by flowers. On special days, offerings were placed around it as a symbol of gratitude. The respect for motherhood extended from royal palaces to common households, making it clear that a mother&rsquo;s love was the greatest blessing of all.
Aly Amin and the Modern Mother&rsquo;s Day Egyptian journalist Aly Amin played a crucial role in establishing Mother&rsquo;s Day on March 21st. The inspiration came from a widow who approached him in tears&mdash;after raising and educating her children alone, she was heartbroken when they grew up, got married, and forgot about her. Moved by her story, Amin wanted to create a day that would remind everyone to appreciate and honor their mothers.
Motherhood: The Foundation of Life From ancient papyri to modern celebrations, the love for mothers has remained unchanged. A mother&rsquo;s love is the purest form of giving, and her blessings are precious.

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