07/24/2025
Poppy flowers are a symbol of military remembrance, especially for soldiers who died in war, because of their deep historical connection to World War I.
After the brutal battles of WWI, especially in Flanders (a region in Belgium), the once-devastated battlefields were among the few places where red poppies began to grow again. This natural regrowth amidst destruction made the poppy a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and remembrance.
đź“ť The Poem That Made It Iconic
The flower became internationally associated with military sacrifice after the famous 1915 poem: “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian soldier and physician.
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row…”
This poem captured the imagination of the public and made the poppy a lasting emblem of those lost in war.
🎖️ Inspired by McCrae’s poem, an American woman named Moina Michael began wearing and distributing poppies to honor the fallen. In the U.S., the American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in 1920.
