Most people are unaware that as well as the traditional red poppy worn to mark the Armistice Day of 11 November 1918, that there is also the purple poppy, remembering animals that died during conflict.
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.
The purple poppy remembers animal victims of war and human violence. Animals cannot volunteer and have no choice in becoming involved in war when they serve alongside human military personnel.
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.
The purple poppy symbol was subsequently picked up by the Murphy's Army charity in 2016 and continued to be sold by them. There is a specified purple poppy day in addition to Remembrance Day on 11 November where purple poppies would be worn. The date is movable, however.
Many people choose to wear a poppy in November for Remembrance Day to show respect for the people who died fighting in the First World War and the conflicts that followed it. But there are other coloured poppies too - purple, black and white - that have different meanings.
It symbolises all animals who have served and/or died during conflict. It is estimated that more than 8 million animals sacrificed their lives in World War I alone. As a way to commemorate the animals that have served and those that continue to, you can wear a purple poppy.
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.
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.
The lapel Poppy should be worn during the Remembrance period, from the last Friday in October until November 11. The Legion encourages the wearing of Poppies at funerals of Veterans, and for any commemorative event such as a memorial service, or the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
#THEY ALSO SERVED. Launched in 2016, Murphy's Army Purple Poppy Campaign pays tribute to animals lost in service, and to those who serve us today. The purple poppy has long been a symbol of remembrance for animals lost in service but until recently was much less well known than the traditional red poppy.
Blue Poppy the flowers are often referred to as QUEEN OF HIMALAYAN FLOWERS. This plant's medicinal use in Uttrakhand is not so common in Tibetan, but is widely used. This is used in medicine to cure diseases associated with the head and is very well known in Tibetan medical methods.
The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or are serving in the armed forces. In many countries, the poppy is worn on Armistice Day (11 November), but in New Zealand it is most commonly seen on Anzac Day, 25 April.
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.
While the red poppy specifically represents remembrance associated with the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, the white poppy commemorates all victims of all wars – both military and civilians of all nationalities – and seeks to bring to an end “the exclusion of civilians from mainstream Remembrance events”.
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.
Even now, the factory employs disabled veterans to produce the wreaths for the Royal Family and the Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal. Since 1924, wearing poppies has been a custom in the U.S. for honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the greater good.
Republic of Ireland international and Wigan Athletic footballer James MacLean has also refused to wear a poppy, angering many fans.
The Poppy should be worn with respect on the left breast, close to the heart.
What is an acceptable colour or style of poppy? The colour and style of a poppy should not make a difference, according to Ferguson. She said it's the meaning behind it for the person sporting the poppy that really matters. It doesn't matter if you have a knitted one, a beaded one or even a white one.
The issue is not a theological one, there is no Catholic Church rule to say we should not wear poppies or remember the military dead. For Catholics living here I would suggest it is different for historical reasons and because of all the “political baggage” that we attach to wearing a poppy.
She noted though that the white poppy is not meant to replace the red poppy — nor is it meant to be disrespectful. “It's not meant to be disrespectful at all. Many people wear both the red and white poppies together.
Black Poppy – BlackPoppyRose
It is worn to represent the contributions made by Black, African, Caribbean and Pacific Islands communities in war.
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.
Each November, the red poppy pins become a piece of the royals' wardrobe. The poppy has been used since 1921 to commemorate military members who have died in wars. The red flower is primarily associated with the U.K. and Commonwealth countries for Remembrance Day on November 11. Scarce heard amid the guns below.