Poppies

Discussion in 'World War 1' started by DancingLady, Oct 22, 2014.

  1. DancingLady

    DancingLady Member

    I have always wondered why poppies came to be such a significant symbol in WWI. I know they are an easy to grow flower that reseeds itself, but does anyone know the history behind this?
     
  2. Diptangshu

    Diptangshu Active Member

  3. DancingLady

    DancingLady Member

    Thank you, that was very helpful. I remember singing the Flanders Field song as a kid in children's choir, but I never really got it.
     
  4. Diptangshu

    Diptangshu Active Member

    In Flanders Field ~ John McCrae
    In Flanders fields the
    poppies blow
    Between the crossess,
    row and row
    That mark our place, and
    in the sky,
    The larks still bravely
    singing fly,
    ...... ....
    We are the dead, short days ago,
    we lived, felt down,
    saw sunset glow
    Loved and were loved
    and now we lie,
    In Flanders fields
    ...... .. .....
    We shall not sleep
    though poppies grow
    in Flanders fields.
    Sorry .. I unable to recall correctly though tried best!
    Thank you.
     
  5. Gin0710

    Gin0710 Member

    Didn't soldiers get addicted to them because they were a form of pain relief or it got them high? I can't remember.
     
  6. Diptangshu

    Diptangshu Active Member

    Me too, but whatever it might be, for a very long time after the War those types of verses/songs etc.. had an influence which been spread outside the barracks and reached up to the civilians, I believe.
     
  7. Gin0710

    Gin0710 Member

    Everyone has their own drug of choice for escaping the horrible reality of what they just witnessed. It is difficult for people to understand.
     
  8. thomas pendrake

    thomas pendrake Active Member

    Because the poppy is associated with forgetting due to the influence of opium, the poppy is used as a symbol of remembrance. I guess this is an example of homeopathy in practice (like cures like).
     

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