maternal sorrow
[/məˈtɜːrnəl ˈsɑːroʊ/]
noun phrasefemininepl: maternal sorrows
dor materna
1. Deep grief or sadness experienced by a mother, often related to loss, suffering of her children, or unfulfilled maternal aspirations
The mother's maternal sorrow was evident in her eyes when she spoke of her lost child.
A dor materna da mãe era evidente em seus olhos quando ela falava de seu filho perdido.
2. The emotional pain and melancholy inherent to motherhood, particularly in difficult circumstances
Her poetry explored themes of maternal sorrow and the sacrifices mothers make.
Sua poesia explorava temas de dor materna e os sacrifícios que as mães fazem.
Maternal sorrow holds significant cultural resonance in both Brazilian and Portuguese literature, often portrayed through Marian symbolism and deeply rooted in Catholic traditions. In Brazil specifically, the theme appears prominently in Cordel literature and popular songs (Música Sertaneja) celebrating the sacrifices of mothers. The concept reflects the cultural valuation of motherhood and the acknowledgment of women's emotional labor and sacrifice.
Related Idioms & Phrases
a mother's pain runs deep
maternal sorrow knows no bounds
the weight of maternal sorrow
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