The month of August has two birth flowers, the gladiolus and the poppy, both are colourful and make excellent cut flowers. They also share a rich symbolism tied to remembrance.
Gladiolus, a symbol of strength and love, provides height to the garden and a splash of much-needed colour in the final full month of the summer season. I wrote about this birth flower recently, in case you missed the post you can find it here
The poppy, does grow in a variety of colours, but is known best for its red colour and made famous by a poem written more than a century ago, has long been associated with those lost during times of war. The poppy symbolizes eternal sleep, oblivion, and also imagination. It is known best for its red colour and made famous by a poem written more than a century ago, by Canadian poet John McCrae.
McCrae served as a military physician during World War I, and penned the famous poem, “In Flanders Field,” it begins with the line: In Flanders Field the poppies blow / Between the crosses row on row. It led to the association between the poppy and those lost in battle.
Poppies grow all over the world, including the temperate climates of Eurasia, Africa, and North America. The most recognizable poppy species are the Iceland poppy, the Oriental poppy and the California poppy.
Poppy Meanings and Symbolism
The Poppy in History
Canadian poet John McCrae, who served as a military physician during World War I, penned the famous poem, “In Flanders Field,” in 1915 that begins with the line: “In Flanders Field the poppies blow / Between the crosses row on row.” It led to the association between the poppy and those lost in battle.
In European cemeteries where soldiers were buried from World War I, disturbing the soil caused poppies to grow from seeds that had been dormant for years.
L. Frank Baum includes poppies in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, creating a field of flowers that causes Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto to fall asleep on their journey to the Emerald City.
On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion. It memorializes those who fought and died during the First World War. Each year, the American Legion Auxiliary distributes poppies around Memorial Day, requesting recipients to make a donation to support veterans and active-duty personnel. American Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May each year.
On Remembrance Day (November 11), citizens all around Britain and other former Commonwealth countries wear paper crimson poppies to honour those lost in battle. The Royal British Legion (RBL) founded in May 1921 is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community, both past and present, and their families, and you can read more here
The poppy, does grow in a variety of colours, but is known best for its red colour and made famous by a poem written more than a century ago, has long been associated with those lost during times of war. The poppy symbolizes eternal sleep, oblivion, and also imagination. It is known best for its red colour and made famous by a poem written more than a century ago, by Canadian poet John McCrae.
McCrae served as a military physician during World War I, and penned the famous poem, “In Flanders Field,” it begins with the line: In Flanders Field the poppies blow / Between the crosses row on row. It led to the association between the poppy and those lost in battle.
Poppies grow all over the world, including the temperate climates of Eurasia, Africa, and North America. The most recognizable poppy species are the Iceland poppy, the Oriental poppy and the California poppy.
Poppy Meanings and Symbolism
- In addition to being a long-time symbol of remembrance, poppies’ opiate qualities making them symbols of sleep, peace, and death but also resurrection.
- In Greco-Roman myths, the flowers were part of offerings to the dead and poppies are found on tombstones to represent eternal sleep.
- According to Greek mythology, the poppy was associated with Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. It was believed if poppies grew in your field, a bountiful crop would follow.
- In ancient Greece, poppies were associated with Hypnos, the god of sleep, Thanatos (death), and Morpheus (dreams).
- It is believed that poppy flowers will help you remember your loved ones who have passed.
- The poppy is the state flower of California.
The Poppy in History
Canadian poet John McCrae, who served as a military physician during World War I, penned the famous poem, “In Flanders Field,” in 1915 that begins with the line: “In Flanders Field the poppies blow / Between the crosses row on row.” It led to the association between the poppy and those lost in battle.
In European cemeteries where soldiers were buried from World War I, disturbing the soil caused poppies to grow from seeds that had been dormant for years.
L. Frank Baum includes poppies in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, creating a field of flowers that causes Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto to fall asleep on their journey to the Emerald City.
On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion. It memorializes those who fought and died during the First World War. Each year, the American Legion Auxiliary distributes poppies around Memorial Day, requesting recipients to make a donation to support veterans and active-duty personnel. American Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May each year.
On Remembrance Day (November 11), citizens all around Britain and other former Commonwealth countries wear paper crimson poppies to honour those lost in battle. The Royal British Legion (RBL) founded in May 1921 is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community, both past and present, and their families, and you can read more here
The Poppy and Its symbol of remembrance is recognized in many cultures around the world.
xxx oooo xxx
You may also like to read this post about 'Some Foods In Season During August' which also has some recipe suggestions - please see here
You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.
All the best Jan
28 comments:
I just love poppies and the use of them for Remembrance Day.
Those are pretty flowers. Happy August. It's nearly gone already. Whoosh.
I love poppies -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.cok
What an interesting read. I have never been successful growing poppies, but they are such pretty flowers.
...the poppy would be a wonderful birth flower to have!
Hi Jan, I absolutely love the poppy and what it represents in terms of Remembrance Day! My father was a veteran of WWII and every time I see a poppy I think of my father and all the other veterans who fought for our freedom. Even though my father, mother and i were all born here in Montreal, Canada, my paternal grandparents were born in Kent, England.
My father was one of the men sent from Canada to England to fight in the Queen's Regiment, (Royal Warwickshire).
Thank you so much for sharing about this flower, I am going to refer to this post more than once, (as I do many other of your posts), I can assure you.
The poppies are pretty.
I knew that poppy was for remembrance and it was so interesting to learn more.
Amalia
xo
Happy August. Of the two featured flowers I much prefer poppies.
I love the poppies, they are so pretty.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
Poppies are vibrant and fragile and look wonderful at the edges of cornfields.
Amazing the time it takes you to research and publish these wonderful posts. Thank you, Jan.
God bless.
Your detailed reflection beautifully captures the deep symbolism and historical significance of the gladiolus and poppy as August’s birth flowers
O conteúdo do seu blog é muito interessante.
Já estou entre seus amigos.
Venha se juntar aos meus amigos comedores de lasanha. rsrsrsrs
Abraços 🐾 Garfield Tirinhas Oficial.
"Gallipoli", right by my monitor.... poppy-seeds, a pressie from a good friend in Perth 2015.
A beautiful flower. X
Interesting post and I have always loved poppys especially when I have seen them in a field in full bloom.
I like those two flowers typical of August 🌺🌹🥀 ... I would add sunflowers whose size reaches its maximum in August 🌻
Have a nice week ahead of you ☀
My oldest daughter's three children all have August birthdays. She got a gladiolus tattoo on her arm. I had no idea poppies were also the August flower.
Thanks for sharing all this fascinating information about poppies.
The story of "In Flanders Field" and how it cemented the poppy as a symbol of remembrance is especially powerful. I never knew they were also the state flower of California! It's a beautiful flower with a truly rich and meaningful history.
I recall a field of wild poppies growing. I would guess it full of homes.
I love Poppies.. I've planted them every year and they never survive...
Oh this is a fabulous post about the poppies.
Poppies are such beautiful flowers and so sentimental for their remembrance of the sacrifices of war. When I was in 5th grade I was chosen to recite this poem in front of my little town for Memorial Day ceremonies and had to memorize it by heart. My Uncle was a veteran of WWII.
My grandmother always grew gladiolas in her garden and would send us home with a big bouquet when we would come to visit. Two very special flowers. Lovely post. x K
The poppy is one of my very favorites -- it seems to have a short life in the garden but so colorful. I do love that McCrae poem. It's incredibly poignant.
I so remember when I was a kid, my mom going downtown to shop and buying the poppies to give money to the Vets, I don't see it like that anymore, I don't know if it is just they don't do it around here or they don't do it anymore.
And poppy is a source of opium too.
Me gustan mucho las amapolas, por aquí se ven bastantes. Besos.
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