Honoring the Sacred Rite of Passage Into Motherhood

Amidst the bubble I was in during those first few weeks of motherhood, I couldn't help but acknowledge how mindblowing everything was. And I kept thinking was this it? With all the glory my amazing body just pulled off, where was the recognition besides hearing “congratulations”? I felt like I deserved a crown. Maybe even a parade. Or at the very least… some confetti. Was I asking for too much?

Maybe not.

In many parts of the world, motherhood is treated as exactly what it is—a profound rite of passage. A crossing over. A transformation. And like all meaningful transitions in life, it’s marked with ritual, reverence, and rest.

In India, mothers are adorned with henna on their feet and legs—delicate, intricate designs created slowly over time. This tradition is not only beautiful, but purposeful. It encourages the new mother to stay still, to be pampered, to be seen.

In Indonesia, there’s a practice where the mother stands over a pot of smoldering herbs. The warmth and healing properties of the steam help her body recover after birth. But it doesn’t end there! She also receives a traditional abdominal massage to gently guide the uterus back into place and support her healing from within.

In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, many women experience the closing of the bones ceremony. Her body, once stretched and opened for birth, is wrapped slowly and gently in cloth, symbolizing her return to herself. It’s often paired with herbal oils, touch, warmth, and presence.

Here in the Philippines, mothers used to be cared for with guava leaves. Boiled and prepared for washing or steaming after a vaginal birth, it is to support healing and prevent infection. Although I'm still unsure whether I consider it a rite of passage, it must be the closest thing we have. Personally, I only know a couple of women who received this kind of care.

It’s difficult to know just how many women around the world still receive these rituals. It seems to have faded over time. Some are lucky enough to be surrounded by elders and traditions. Others are left to navigate their transformation alone. We hope that instead of being forgotten, these rituals can be reintroduced. Reimagined. Reclaimed.

In so many of these traditions, the message is the same: you just became someone new. And that becoming deserves to be witnessed.

We celebrate weddings. We hold graduations. We throw birthday parties. But birth? Birth changes a woman forever. And too often, it happens quietly. Alone. Without pause.

You don’t need a grand ceremony to honor your transition (although it would have been cool, don't you think?). A simple moment of stillness. It might be a quiet bath with herbs and music. A whispered thank you to your body. A homemade meal shared with someone who sees you. That can be your rite.

You crossed over. You gave life.

And yes, mama, you do deserve a crown.