Remembrance Poppy: What do they signify?
The Remembrance Poppy is starting to appear across the country as Remembrance Sunday approaches on the 8th. But why do we mark the day with these red poppies?
The red poppy is the remembrance of the First World War. Poppies were a common sight, they flourished in the churned up soil whilst the fighting and shelling took place. The poppy inspired Canadian doctor John McRae to write his poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ which he wrote whilst serving in Ypres 1915.
In Flanders Fields, by John McRae
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.
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.
So we wear the red artificial poppies in remembrance of those who have died in the First World War. These artificial remembrance poppies were first sold in Britain in 1921 to raise money for the Earl Haigh Fund. This charity supports ex-servicemen and also the families who lost their loved ones. To this day, the poppies continue to be sold and worn in remembrance for those who lost their lives.
The Blossoming Gifts team will never forget, so wear your poppies in a sign of respect – If you enjoyed reading this post then why not visit our Facebook and Twitter page?
