Remembrance Poppy
April 12th, 2006
“Why was the poppy chosen as the symbol of remembrance for Canada’s war dead? Prior to the First World War few poppies grew in Flanders. During the tremendous bombardments of that war the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing ‘popaver rhoeas’ to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again.
Each November, millions of poppies blossom in Canada. They blossom on the jackets, dresses and hats of nearly half the Canadian population and they have blossomed over 80 years, since 1921. The poppy is the symbol that individuals use to show that they remember those who were killed in the wars and peacekeeping operations that Canada has been involved in.”
-The Royal Canadian Legion
Entry Filed under: Best of the CDR,Symbols
20 Comments Add your own
1. J D Nova | April 20th, 2006 at 08:39
Why did the middle change from green to black?
2. admin | April 20th, 2006 at 09:43
According to the Royal Canadian Legion, “The centre of the Lapel Poppy was black at one time and it was changed to green more than twenty years ago. There is no recorded reason why this was done. In 2002 the centre was changed to black to reflect the colours of the Poppies in Flanders – a red flower with a black centre.”
-ME
3. info fider | November 7th, 2006 at 05:45
According to the Royal Canadian Legion, “The centre of the Lapel Poppy was originally black but was changed to green more than twenty years ago to represent the green fields of France. In 2002, the centre was changed back to black to reflect the actual colours of the Poppies in Flanders a red flower with a black centre. It is intended that the black centre will remain as the standard for the production of all future Poppy material.”
4. Jesse Collins, and then s&hellip | November 7th, 2006 at 13:34
[...] Thanks to the Canadian Design Resource for a great image and description of The Poppy. [...]
5. Barry Brennan | December 3rd, 2006 at 12:41
I’d just like to know a little bit about the company which manufactures the legion poppies: who are they and what else do they do? Thanks.
6. Stephanie Sirant | December 10th, 2006 at 02:35
I actually look forward to that time of year when the Canadian legion poppies come out, because I wholeheartedly wish never to take for granted the freedom that I have as a Canadian. I enjoy wearing the red poppie on my lapel, and find the metaphor quite beautiful… the only design flaw is that the pin doesn’t have a backing. I often will lose my poppie within a couple of days. I suppose that this is actually a good design because I end up donating more when I replace the lost ones.
- Stephanie Sirant
7. Charlotte Cederholm | February 11th, 2007 at 13:42
When my brother-in-law was doing some repairs to his home, he did some demo work and behind the boards he removed, were 3 cloth poppies with black centers. The poppies are constructed in two layers, with 3 petals to each layer. We are trying to determine if a) when they were produced and b) are they of Canadian origin.
Any assistance you could give would be appreciated, as we would like to put them in a shadow box and donated them with the information to our branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Thank you
8. Kristen Standish | July 3rd, 2007 at 20:35
When will there be a war in Canada? Becuase I do not want anyone in Canada to die because of a war.
9. James Hawkins | November 9th, 2007 at 17:54
With the myths you learned growing up, One I learned about the poppy was that the red around the green center ment. The red leaves were the blood lost from the soldiers that fell to the grass which was the green in the center. So the red was bigger due to LOTS of blood shedded, covering most of the ground. Sorry if some are affended with this myth, but when you think of it alot of GREAT lives were lost in the wars. God bless them all and let them rest in peace.
10. Michael | November 9th, 2007 at 19:09
I still have a green center poppy from years ago. How much is it worth?
11. Keir | November 23rd, 2007 at 22:47
The simple fact is that it was adopted by the Commonwealth (not simply Canada) at the urging of Field Marshall Haig who used the poppy appeal as a way to help fund the needs of veterans.
12. David Hale | November 8th, 2008 at 22:30
I moved to the middle of the United States over a decade ago. The locals celebrate Veterans Day the same day as Remembrance Day… But there’s not a poppy within a days drive from here. Is there a manufacturer of quality artificial Poppies you know of that could ship some down?
13. Sharon Smith | November 11th, 2008 at 16:27
Other than summer time, I am never without a poppy. I do not just wear it around the 11 of Nov. I had a lady approach me and tell me I still had my poppy on around Feb of last year. I replied yes, our troops did not just fight or give up their lives on the 11th of Nov. I was surprised because after she had hugged me and thanked me, saying yes my dear yes. A gentleman who was passing did the same. They did not simply fight or give up their lives on the 11th of Nov. Fall, winter, spring, I wear my poppy.
14. Dude | November 11th, 2008 at 18:45
The green means peace time the black means war
15. Doug Michetti | November 21st, 2008 at 12:38
I have spoken with many people that contribute to the Poppy Fund every year but never wear it because they are tired of being stuck by the pin and constantly losing them.
I have designed a lapel pin that solves that problem. It is almost identical to the black centre of the poppy and doesn’t change the appearance of the poppy at all, in fact, many veterans have told me it enhances it.
Information at http://poppypins.com
16. Henk Duthler | August 6th, 2009 at 11:26
My understanding is that black as a colour symbolizes death and mourning where red symbolizes blood. In Flanders Field, where John McCrae wrote his poem, the centres of the poppies are black.
17. Rememberance Day 2009 &la&hellip | November 10th, 2009 at 20:17
[...] need to do to achieve/maintain peace in this world. Lest we forget. Are YOU wearing your poppy? http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/symbols/remembrance-poppy/ Cross-posted at: http://www.gooddayeh.wordpress.com Twitter [...]
18. “To you from failin&hellip | November 11th, 2009 at 01:04
[...] (image from here) [...]
19. Greg Wilson | November 12th, 2009 at 17:07
I would like to know where our poppies are manufactured nowadays? I would hope here in Canada, But something tells me no. I think it should be ilegal to import any Canadian flags made in another country. I bet China would never buy Chinese flags made in Canada or USA. Greg
20. Victor | November 15th, 2009 at 21:32
Hi,
I’m hoping this board can help me in my search.
I am a Canadian artist based in Toronto. I am looking to create a memorial photograph using the poppies that are sold each November.
I need to find out whom I can contact at the Canadian Legion or which company I can contact as I would need to purchase a few hundred for each project.
Please note that each project once complete will be donated to a Legion Branch.
you can email me at torontorocks@gmail.com
Thanks,
Vic
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