The Poppy
Despite the drizzling rain and grey skies, November sees pretty, red poppies springing to life on people’s coats, bags and wrists for Remembrance Sunday. This little, vibrant flora is a symbol of support for the Armed Forces, but what is it about this bloom that makes it so significant?
Lost Landscapes
During WWI, the countryside was bombed and blasted repeatedly throughout Western Europe, diminishing many beautiful landscapes to barren mud fields where nothing could grow. Yet, despite the bleakness, among the inhospitality, bright red Flanders poppies grew in their thousands. The resilient bud thrived even in the face of so much death and destruction.
‘In Flanders Fields’
Shortly after losing a friend in Ypres, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was moved by the sight of the poppies. They inspired him to write the famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’; a moving tribute which, in some ways, brings the dead to life through forever growing Flanders poppies.
Moina Michael, an American War Secretary, adopted the poppy in memory of those who had fallen in war, and campaigned for it to become the official symbol of Remembrance across the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. In 1921, Anna Gueren planned to sell poppies in London, where she met the founder of the Royal British Legion, Earl Haig. They ordered 9 million poppies and sold them on 11th November that year. This was the first ever Poppy Appeal and raised over £106,000 helping towards veterans, their housing and jobs.
Poppy Power
The poppy also possesses other symbolic meanings. They are often associated with sleep due to the sedative opium which can be extracted from them, while their blood-red colour also connects them to death. Classic Greek mythology indicates that these flowers also represent the promise of resurrection after death.
Wildy beautiful in their willowy, yet vivid appearance, poppies and all their connotations couldn’t be a more apt symbol of respect, gratitude and tribute to our war heroes.
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders’ fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high,
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders’ Fields.
References
Royal British Legion. (2024) All About the Poppy. Source: All about the poppy | Remembrance | Royal British Legion
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Jessica Lucas is a qualified English Language teaching professional and specialises in educational content creation.
