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poppy
DCHP-2 (Jul 2016)
n. — originally Military, now widespread
a commemorative red pin made to resemble a poppy and worn around Remembrance Day.
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — Poppy and poppy pins are used throughout the British Commonwealth and in many other nations that participated in WWI. In Canada, however, their significance is unique. In addition to commemorating those who fell in combat (in more recent years, all victims of war), a Canadian indirectly spurred the tradition of wearing poppies.
According to the government website for Veterans Affairs Canada, the poppy campaign, spearheaded by a Frenchwoman, was inspired directly by the famous war poem "In Flanders Fields" by Ontario native John McCrae, the first line of which is: "In Flanders Fields the poppies blow" (see Veterans Affairs Canada, s.v. "The Poppy"). The poppy has thus acquired a two-fold significance in Canada: one of remembrance and one of cultural heritage. Cultural significance of events surrounding some WWI battles is beyond dispute by historians, as Canadian battalions played important roles, which in the wake of WWI led to Canada taking cautious steps towards full independence from Britain.
The 2001 $10 bank note features both poppies (besides a maple leaf) and an excerpt of McCrae's poem on the back side.
COD-2, s.v. "poppy" (2), lists the meaning but does not label it in any way.
The 2001 $10 bank note features both poppies (besides a maple leaf) and an excerpt of McCrae's poem on the back side.
COD-2, s.v. "poppy" (2), lists the meaning but does not label it in any way.
Quotations
1921
Madame Guerin is in Canada and is touring all the Dominions of the British Empire, as well as the Old country, to establish the wearing of a red poppy on Armistice Day, as a remembrance of the fallen. She has arranged to send 2,00,000 of these poppies to the G.W.V.A. to be sold on Armistice Day. They are made by war widows and orphans of the desolated regions of France.
1935
A million poppies in the lapels of citizens throughout the Province on Remembrance day, Nov. 11, is the objective this year of the Provincial Poppy Committee of the Canadian Legion, B.E.S.L.
1954
Remembrance ages, dulls to the status of ritual -- blaring bugles, rolling drums, a poppy wreath for the cenotaph -- and for two cold silent minutes "the fallen" are publicly remembered. But what of the maimed, the blind, the broken in body and spirit?
1976
While you're waiting, buy a poppy from the legion. You'll be ready for Remembrance Day. Tonight, live dangerously and help the Ontario College of Art celebrate its first century.
1992
But our children have made their own observations since we moved from Ottawa to California three and a half months ago:
People speak English and Spanish, not English and French.
Everybody buys a hot lunch at school, instead of bringing a bag lunch from home.
The Christmas displays in the stores started appearing in September.
People complain about the weather when they can no longer wear shorts.
Remembrance Day is called Veterans Day and it's a school holiday. But no one wears poppies.
Practically every kind of store you go into sells liquor - rows and rows of it.
2008
What's red and black and lying on the floor? Or fluttering down the street behind you?
It's your poppy. It's fallen off your jacket. Again.
It sometimes seems impossible to keep your poppy from the end of October until Remembrance Day.
So what are the best ways to make sure you hang onto that little red symbol of respect?
2013
In addition, the cadets have been involved in community service including Remembrance Day, Legion poppy sales, the V.E. Day cemetery candle lighting ceremonies, Canada Day, the Fall Fair and Action Fest parades, Festival of Lights, Summerland Food Bank, Legion clean-up as well as Adopt a Road on Highway 97.
2016
During the Poppy Campaign, thousands of Legion members from coast to coast to coast volunteer their time to distribute poppies and raise millions that will support Veterans and their families in need. While Poppies are distributed freely, the Legion truly appreciates the generous donations to the Poppy Fund in support of serving and retired Veterans and their families.
Thank you for wearing a Poppy and supporting Canada’s Veterans.
To further support our Veterans – past and present – anyone can become a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. You can also show your pride and appreciation by purchasing Poppy and commemorative items from the Poppy Store. All proceeds support Legion programs.
References
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- COD-2
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