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.
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.
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.
Red poppy flowers represent consolation, remembrance and death. Likewise, the poppy is a common symbol that has been used to represent everything from peace to death and even simply sleep. Since ancient times, poppies placed on tombstones represent eternal sleep.
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.
The purple poppy remembers animal victims of war and human violence.
Purple poppies are worn to honour animals who were victims of war. Many war horses, dogs and pigeons were killed during service in WW1. The Animal Purple Poppy Appeal is organised by War Horse Memorial, which donates the money raised to various animal charities.
Why is the white poppy controversial? The white poppy has come in for criticism, primarily because it is seen as being disrespectful to those who have died in the wars.
The Black poppy is a fairly recent addition, having only been launched in 2010. Selena Carty set it up and it is worn to remember black, African, Caribbean and Pacific Islanders who lost their lives at war.
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. a commitment to peace.
Its flowers range in color from white to purple and any shade of red or pink in between. Poppies produce seeds prolifically.
Papaver somniferum (Paeoniiflorum Group) 'Pink Paeony' (Opium Poppy) is an upright annual boasting large, fully double flowers, 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), densely packed with soft pink, crumpled petals. Blooming for weeks in summer, the ravishing blooms sit on top of stout stems clad with deeply-lobed, silvery leaves.
Poppy flower colors range from white to vivid reds and oranges.
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.
- Yellow poppies represent optimism and the ability to look on the bright side as well as positive memories of people who have died. - White poppies signify innocence and purity and are associated with faith and the eternal soul.
The "Animal" Poppy
To commemorate all the animal deeds and sacrifices in war, the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) has issued a purple poppy, which can be worn alongside the traditional red one.
There are about 250 species of poppies grown across the world. They belong to the poppy family, Papaveraceae, which includes 23 genera, distributed mainly in the northern temperate hemisphere. Their delicate flowers are usually large.
In Australia and other countries of the Commonwealth, we recognise the red poppy as the commemorative flower of remembrance. The flower reminds us of those who lost their lives or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. It's a tradition that began in the early 1900s, after World War I.
The poppy was deemed offensive because it was assumed to be connected with First and Second Opium Wars of the 19th century.
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.
The Poppy should be worn with respect on the left breast, close to the heart.
The purple poppy is often worn to remember animals that have been victims of war. Animals like horses, dogs and pigeons were often drafted into the war effort, and those that wear the purple poppy feel their service should be seen as equal to that of human service.
The Poppy should be worn with respect on the left side, over the heart. The Legion's lapel Poppy is a sacred symbol of Remembrance and should not be affixed with any pin that obstructs the Poppy. Also available through some Branches is the Legion's reusable black centre Poppy pin to affix your lapel Poppy.