 Friendship day- Why?
Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival. "
- C. S. Lewis
Nowadays friendship day celebration with gaiety and excitement can be witnessed around the globe. It is a time to acknowledge your friend’s contributions, cherish their presence and pay a small tribute. The natural human instinct of socialization gave birth to this concept. Different mythological stories, folklores, fables and legends bear witness of friendship and fraternity from the very beginning.
The Bible reflects upon friendship as an intrinsic bond based on faith, trust and togetherness. In the Old Testament Abraham is called the “friend of God.’’ Again God refers to Moses as ‘a man……unto his friend”. In fact the romantic communion between Ruth and Naomi and the loyalty of subordinate Hushai for David contain examples of true friendship and commitment. Hindu epic Mahabharata adds a new dimension with the holy bond between Krishna and Arjuna.
Whether in Famous West Asian tale of sacrifice and friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu or in Illiad’s Achilles and Patrocles the theme of close alliance is highlighted and even in Roman writer Cicero’s essays we find various chords of friendships and relationships. In the mediaeval era Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales sings the similar odes to the lofty ideals of friendship and comradeship. No wonder, multiple centuries after, a whole day is being devoted to the encouraging human bond named -friendship.
Can you remember, the martyrs of world war and the inexplicable friendship amidst them portrayed in the novel ‘All Quiet in the Western Font’? The devastating First World War and the mist of mistrust and hostilities generated right after it, cemented perfect condition for the imminent battle and gave birth to the desperate need for friendship and amity not only among the nations but among the individuals as well. In 1935 the US congress designated the first Saturday of August as a holiday in the honor of friends and friendship. With no time the day got immense popularity, especially among the young stars. Just like this National Friendship Day, the festive mood prevails further as Women’s Friendship Day was declared on the third Sunday in August, Old Friend’s day on the third week of May, best friend’s day on 8th June and the whole month of February as friendship month.
Expensive gifts, friendship bands, cards, blue and pink flowers, all are bestowed upon friends as token of everlasting love. The whole occasion is celebrated all over the world with much hype and hoopla. However the Festival is getting rampantly commercialized day by day by different gift sellers and Restaurant owners who offer special discounts and bring unnecessary pompousness but hardly add any special value to the integral cause behind happy friendship day celebrations.
Friendship day is not a particular day to remember your friends or a mere formality but the day is meant to remind you about the basic ethics of love and humanity which needs to be believed and truly followed through the rest of your life.
Post your comment on these mystic Friend Articles in the Mystic Friend forum on Mystic Board.
Visitors who read this article also read
|
 "Friendship Day")