St George’s, Shirley poppy display at the entrance of the church.
Each year, churches and cathedrals host events and visual exhibitions, including poppy displays and many people choose to wear a poppy in commemoration.
For more than a century, poppies have been worn and represented in countless ways as a mark of respect and remembrance and over time new colours and styles have been introduced. But why do people wear poppies and what do they mean?
The Red Poppy
The red poppy belongs to the Royal British Legion – a charity created by veterans of World War One – and is the most recognisable symbol used to commemorate and show respect for the people who died fighting in the war and the conflicts that followed it.
Wearing a poppy was inspired by the fields of poppies that grew where many of the battles were fought and they are displayed and worn as a symbol of remembrance and hope.
The Purple Poppy
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 Animal Purple Poppy Fund uses the word poppy with the agreement of the Royal British Legion and donations to the Fund go to charities including World Horse Welfare and the Household Cavalry Foundation.
The BlackPoppyRose
The BlackPoppyRose commemorates the contributions of black, African and Caribbean communities to the war effort – as servicemen, servicewomen and wcivilians. The BlackPoppyRose charity launched in 2010 and aims to highlight the untold historical legacies in global wars and conflicts dating back to the 16th century.
The White Poppy
Some people choose to wear a white poppy to remember people who died in conflict with a focus to an end to war. It is available through the Peace Pledge Union, a charity organisation which promotes peace – challenging the way we look at war.
We will remember them.
Lord of the nations,
Saviour and judge of all:
remove from human hearts
all bitterness and hate,
grant to those who have died in war
your mercy and forgiveness
and bring us all to the peace
of your eternal Kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who suffered and died,
and now lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
Amen.
Information for this blog has been taken from The Royal British Legion and the BBC.
