In soldiers' folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground. The White Poppy. The white poppy is an international symbol of remembrance for all the casualties of war - civilians and armed forces personnel - and of peace.
It is thought that the red of the petals represents the blood of those who gave their lives, the black button in the middle is for the mourning of those who never welcomed their loved ones home and the green leaf shows the hope that the grass and crops growing after the war brings.
What does the purple poppy mean? Rather than being associated with humans who have lost their lives while serving their country, the purple poppy is worn to help ensure that the animals who served, and continue to serve, alongside their human counterparts are not forgotten.
It represents “remembrance for all victims of war, a commitment to peace and a challenge to attempts to glamorise or celebrate war,” the PPU explained.
Other colours of poppy have their own meanings: - Pink poppies symbolise compassion and platonic love. - Orange poppies stand for health and regeneration. - Yellow poppies represent optimism and the ability to look on the bright side as well as positive memories of people who have died.
What does the black poppy mean? The BlackPoppyRose commemorates the contributions of black, African and Caribbean communities to the war effort - as servicemen and servicewomen, and as civilians.
What do white poppies represent? White poppies represent three things: remembrance for all victims of war, both military and civilian. a challenge to any attempts to glamorise or celebrate war.
Rough poppy (Papaver hybridum)
The rarest of the poppies, with small red petals that carry a black spot at the base. Its seed capsule is globe-shaped and covered in stiff yellow bristles.
Silver or white poppies are sold to raise funds for the charity Peace Pledge Union and represent “remembrance for all victims of war, a commitment to peace and a challenge to attempts to glamorise or celebrate war”.
Some people feel the red poppy has become too political, and that some politicians have used the powerful feelings it creates to justify war. Others refuse to wear poppies because they feel there is too much pressure put on people to wear them.
Most people wear just one, but Queen Elizabeth II routinely wears several poppies when honouring the war dead. Sometimes people wear more than one because they want to honour several countries or several individuals, Maxwell says.
The lapel Poppy should be worn during the Remembrance period, from the last Friday in October until November 11. The Legion encourages the wearing of Poppies at funerals of Veterans, and for any commemorative event such as a memorial service, or the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Most people think there is only one poppy to be worn for remembrance, but, in reality, there are four Remembrance Poppies which can be worn: Red, White, Purple and Black.
Why do the royals wear multiple poppies? Curiously, it's never been officially confirmed by the palace, but one theory is that the royal family wears multiple poppy brooches in honour of family members who have fought and died at war.
Wearing a poppy (on the left breast or lapel) is more common in Australia on and around Remembrance Day, 11 November.
Meconopsis is a genus of nearly 80 species of often short-lived or monocarpic perennials which flower just once and then die. They are best known as 'blue poppies' with large saucer-shaped flowers but many have attractive leaf rosettes.
Challenging war and militarism, as well as any attempt to glorify or celebrate war. White poppies encourage us to question the way war is normalised and justified. They remind us of the need to resist war and its causes today. A commitment to peace and to seeking nonviolent solutions to conflict.
State Flower
California Golden Poppy. Eschscholzia californica. The California golden poppy is bright orange with blue-green, fern-like leaves and grows in bushy clumps up to 2 feet tall and wide. Their flower petals can reach 2 inches long and 3 inches wide. Golden poppies grow throughout California.
She noted though that the white poppy is not meant to replace the red poppy — nor is it meant to be disrespectful. “It's not meant to be disrespectful at all. Many people wear both the red and white poppies together.
Our red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community.
The purple poppy was not endorsed by The Royal British Legion, which sells the official red remembrance poppies. However they did state: "We see no conflict in wearing the red poppy next to the purple or white poppy. Many animal rights supporters also support our work.
Some people think all poppies are red, but these spring bloomers come in yellow, white, orange, gold, blue, pink or purple, and there are different types, including Oriental, Shirley, Breadseed, Iceland (all Papaver spp.)
The Poppy is worn each year during the Remembrance period to honour Canada's Fallen. The Legion also encourages the wearing of a Poppy for the funeral of a Veteran and for any commemorative event honouring Fallen Veterans.
This was introduced back in 2006 by the charity Animal Aid as a way of remembering the animals that lost their lives at war. The charity started the appeal because it felt the animals that die at war – which tend to mostly be horses and dogs – are often forgotten. White poppy.