Remembrance day why do we wear poppies

The poppy has a long association with Remembrance Day. But how did the distinctive red flower become such a potent symbol of our remembrance of the sacrifices made in past wars? Scarlet corn poppies popaver rhoeas grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century transformed bare land into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.

Once the conflict was over the poppy was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields. The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial symbol to the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields.

The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in World War One and later conflicts.

The White Poppy was first introduced by the Women's Co-operative Guild in and was intended as a lasting symbol for peace and an end to all wars. While the White Poppy was never intended to offend the memory of those who died in the Great War, many veterans felt that its significance undermined their contribution and the lasting meaning of the red poppy.

Today, over five million Scottish poppies which have four petals and no leaf unlike poppies in the rest of the UK are still made by hand by disabled ex-Servicemen at Lady Haig's Poppy Factory each year and distributed by our sister charity Poppyscotland. Remembrance in the UK today is very different than it was years ago. People take part whatever their political or religious beliefs. The poppy remains a humble, poignant symbol of Remembrance and hope.

Remembrance honours the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. They protect our way of life. Our Remembrance events encourage communities to come together to honour those who served and and remember their sacrifice. The Tributes planted in our Fields of Remembrance each carry a personal message to someone who lost their life in Service for our country.

Remembrance What is Remembrance? The Poppy. 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. But what is the inspiration and history behind the poppy becoming a symbol of Remembrance? Fields of Poppies There was a notable and striking exception to the bleakness - the bright red Flanders poppies.

Some people say a poppy should be worn on the left lapel, to keep it close to your heart — it is also the side that medals are worn by the Armed forces. Others argue that the symbol should be displayed on the left by men and the right by women, the traditional positions of a badge or brooch. Log In. Contact us Sign up for newsletters. Log In Register now My account. When do you stop wearing a poppy?