Poppies - The Flowers of Remembrance and Peace
The Origin of Poppy as the Advocate for Peace
The poppy's journey as a symbol of remembrance began in 1915, during the First World War. Canadian military doctor John McCrae, deeply moved by the sight of red poppies blooming amidst the devastation of the battlefields in Flanders, penned the poignant poem "In Flanders Fields." This poem resonated with American humanitarian Moina Michael. She adopted the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and began distributing it to ex-servicemen in New York. Later, the American Legion officially adopted the poppy in 1920, and the idea quickly spread to other countries.
Red Poppy as A Symbol of Hope for a Peaceful Future
In 1921, the Royal British Legion was formed and embraced the red poppy as its emblem. The Legion launched the first Poppy Appeal, nine million poppies were sold on Remembrance Day (11 November) to honor those who died in WWI. Since then, this appeal has been held every year and the revenues are used to support veterans and their families in need. In recent years, the number of poppies sold has even reached 40 million. Meanwhile, millions of poppies are also ordered by Canada and New Zealand. The Royal British Legion stresses that the poppy is not a symbol of support for war or death, but rather a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
The Rise of the White Poppy
The use of white poppies was introduced by the Women's Co-operative Guild in 1933. Later, the Peace Pledge Union, a pacifist organization, distributed white poppies annually in the UK. The white poppy movement honors all victims of war, including civilians and soldiers, regardless of nationality or period. It emphasizes challenging the glorification of war and promotes peace by advocating for nonviolent conflict resolution. By highlighting the devastating human cost of war, the white poppy movement urges us to resist war and its causes. Though less popular than the red poppy, in recent times, over a hundred thousand white poppies have been sold each year, and its popularity has continued to grow. Beyond the UK, orders have also come from Canada, New Zealand, and Belgium.
Despite some debate surrounding the red and white poppies, the Royal British Legion asserts that the red poppy is a symbol of peace that embraces everyone, irrespective of race, belief, background, or gender identity. At the same time, the Legion acknowledges and respects individuals' rights to wear poppies of different colors to honor remembrance. More and more public figures have worn both red and white poppies to show respect for both sides.
Poppies in Other Colors
While red and white poppies dominate the remembrance discussions, other colors have emerged with their unique meanings. For instance, black poppies remember the contributions and sacrifices of African, Black, and Caribbean communities to war efforts.
Conclusion
Poppies, whether red, white, or other colors, hold deep significance as symbols of peace and remembrance. The red poppy stands as a tribute to the sacrifices of those who fought in wars and hope for a peaceful future, while the white poppy advocates for an end to conflict. Despite debates, there is a growing recognition of the importance of honoring different perspectives and promoting understanding. Poppies serve as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to strive for peace and reconciliation.
Why match it to November?
Poppy is closely related to Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day, on 11th November. It marks the ending of World War I and the restoration of peace. As pioneered by Moina Michael, Earl Haig, and so on, wearing a poppy on that day has become a tradition to remember the victims of war and seek a peaceful future.
Extracted From:
White poppy: How is it different from the red remembrance symbol? (bbc.com)
Remembrance & White Poppies | Peace Pledge Union (ppu.org.uk)
White poppies gaining acceptance in UK, say campaigners | Remembrance Day | The Guardian
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/about-remembrance/the-poppy
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-41942346
Who, What, Why: Which countries wear poppies? - BBC News
White Poppies - Frequently Asked Questions | Peace Pledge Union (ppu.org.uk)
