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The beginning of November means Remembrance season, and with Remembrance Day fast approaching, swathes of the public will be supporting the Royal British Legion by buying a poppy and wearing it with pride.
It has become second nature to many poppy wearers, to buy the poppy and pin it onto the lapel without further thought.
But did you know what the poppy stands for? Or that it was originally a poem that inspired the use of the poppy as a Remembrance symbol?
Here are five things you might not know about the pretty red flower according to the Royal British Legion
1 . The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future
By wearing a poppy you are showing respect and support for the service of Armed Forces, veterans and their families. The flower represents lives lost in all conflicts from the First World War to present day. The poppy also honours the work of civilian services and uniformed personnel who strive to maintain national peace and keep the country safe from harm.
2. Poppies are sold in all communities in the UK
Every year rumours circulate that some communities ban poppy selling. This is not true nor has it ever been the case. Volunteers of all faiths from all walks of life show community spirit by selling poppies in public spaces including bus stations, train terminals and supermarkets during the Poppy Appeal.
3. It was a poem that inspired the use of the poppy as a Remembrance symbol
After the death of his friend in Ypres in 1915, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was inspired by the sight of poppies growing in fields to write the now-famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.
Moved by the poem, American War Secretary Moina Michael bought poppies to sell to friends to fundraise for servicemen after the First World War. After this practice was adopted by The (Royal) British, poppies have been sold by the charity since 1921.
4. Poppies weren’t always sold with leaves
Although the poppy you see today has leaves, this wasn’t always the case. When the poppy was first sold, it didn’t have any leaves like the natural flower. Leaves made an appearance in the 1960s when it was the norm to make poppy sprays made with additional green fern. In 1984 the popularity of leaves had grown but it wasn’t until 1995 that poppies with leaves attached were made available for the first time.
5. Poppies are recyclable
Every single part of the Royal British Legion poppy, from its hard black centre to its thick red paper leaves is recyclable. You can recycle your poppy at any Sainsbury’s store after Armistice Day. If you were keen on wearing a longer-lasting poppy, there’s a variety of enamel poppy pins available from the Poppy Shop.
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