"In Flanders Fields the poppies grow," wrote the war poet John McCrae, in 1915. The poem, which McCrae composed after witnessing the death of a close friend, evokes the fragile, blood-coloured flowers that bloomed in No Man's LandThe unoccupied ground between two armies. The phrase is particularly associated with trench warfare in WW1, but dates back to the Domesday Book, when it meant land that belonged to nobody. during World War OneA war that included many European countries between 1914 and 1918. , and grew on the newly-dug graves of fallen soldiers. This weekend we revisit the poem for Remembrance day. Each year, red paper poppies spring from buttonholes all over the UK, to mark the ArmisticeA truce or agreement to stop fighting for a certain amount of time. declaration of 11 November 1918, and to show respect and remembrance for soldiers everywhere who have died in war. Poppy sales have increased in recent years. But the controversy surrounding them has, too. The international football body FIFAThe Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football. recently banned England players from wearing poppies, saying that no political, religious or commercial symbols are allowed in international games. There was widespread outcry. FIFA finally relented when Prince William personally intervened, arguing that the poppy was apolitical, and a "universal symbol of remembrance". Last November, the UK prime minister and other politicians refused to remove their poppies during a trade visit to China. There, the symbol is an offensive reminder of the notorious Opium WarsThe culmination of trade disputes between Britain and China, beginning in 1839. The British defeated the Chinese in 1842. British troops were fighting so that British companies would be allowed to trade the drug opium to China. Opium is derived from the poppy plant. of the 19th Century. And while the right to show the poppy is currently causing a stir, last year newsreader Jon Snow fought to be allowed to choose not to wear the symbol. When criticised for not wearing his poppy on air, Snow argued that he preferred to express remembrance in his own way, saying that the pressure on people to display their grief with the flower amounted to "poppy fascismA political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.". Instead of the red poppy sold by then British LegionA charity dedicated to supporting veterans and responsible for the Poppy Appeal., many people today are opting for a white version, representing peace. Some believe the poppy has turned into a fashion statement. Others think its symbolism has become tied up with a patriotismShowing love and pride for your country. that implicitly supports war: they point out that, at the close of McCrae's poem, there is an instruction to "take up the quarrel with the foe". For many people, there is nothing controversial about the poppy. A symbol of remembrance, it marks a simple respect for those who have given their lives for us. By keeping our poppies visible, and respecting the symbol's profound yet simple meaning, we ensure that the noble dead will not be forgotten. Symbols, others argue, are by nature controversial, and packed with hidden meaning. The poppy can imply many things: support for the cause behind a war, patriotism, even a belief in conflict as a positive force. To examine and debate the poppy's meaning is a wiser response to war than unquestioning grief. Q & A Why did people start wearing poppies?: After reading In Flanders Fields, humanitarian Moina Michael began wearing and distributing poppies in New York. They were officially adopted by the British Legion in 1921. Where are poppies worn now? In the USA, poppies have now been largely replaced by ribbons worn for Veterans Day. But they continue to be worn widely across the UK, and the British Legion distributes the paper flowers to 120 countries around the world. What is the money raised spent on?The British Legion is a charity that supports ex-servicemen and women. It provides help for soldiers who have been injured, campaigns for the rights of those in the military, and is responsible for the two minutes' silence on Remembrance Sunday and 11 November.KeywordsNo man's land - The unoccupied ground between two armies. The phrase is particularly associated with trench warfare in WW1, but dates back to the Domesday Book, when it meant land that belonged to nobody.
Poppy debate blossoms on Remembrance Sunday
"In Flanders Fields the poppies grow," wrote the war poet John McCrae, in 1915. The poem, which McCrae composed after witnessing the death of a close friend, evokes the fragile, blood-coloured flowers that bloomed in No Man's LandThe unoccupied ground between two armies. The phrase is particularly associated with trench warfare in WW1, but dates back to the Domesday Book, when it meant land that belonged to nobody. during World War OneA war that included many European countries between 1914 and 1918. , and grew on the newly-dug graves of fallen soldiers. This weekend we revisit the poem for Remembrance day. Each year, red paper poppies spring from buttonholes all over the UK, to mark the ArmisticeA truce or agreement to stop fighting for a certain amount of time. declaration of 11 November 1918, and to show respect and remembrance for soldiers everywhere who have died in war. Poppy sales have increased in recent years. But the controversy surrounding them has, too. The international football body FIFAThe Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football. recently banned England players from wearing poppies, saying that no political, religious or commercial symbols are allowed in international games. There was widespread outcry. FIFA finally relented when Prince William personally intervened, arguing that the poppy was apolitical, and a "universal symbol of remembrance". Last November, the UK prime minister and other politicians refused to remove their poppies during a trade visit to China. There, the symbol is an offensive reminder of the notorious Opium WarsThe culmination of trade disputes between Britain and China, beginning in 1839. The British defeated the Chinese in 1842. British troops were fighting so that British companies would be allowed to trade the drug opium to China. Opium is derived from the poppy plant. of the 19th Century. And while the right to show the poppy is currently causing a stir, last year newsreader Jon Snow fought to be allowed to choose not to wear the symbol. When criticised for not wearing his poppy on air, Snow argued that he preferred to express remembrance in his own way, saying that the pressure on people to display their grief with the flower amounted to "poppy fascismA political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.". Instead of the red poppy sold by then British LegionA charity dedicated to supporting veterans and responsible for the Poppy Appeal., many people today are opting for a white version, representing peace. Some believe the poppy has turned into a fashion statement. Others think its symbolism has become tied up with a patriotismShowing love and pride for your country. that implicitly supports war: they point out that, at the close of McCrae's poem, there is an instruction to "take up the quarrel with the foe". For many people, there is nothing controversial about the poppy. A symbol of remembrance, it marks a simple respect for those who have given their lives for us. By keeping our poppies visible, and respecting the symbol's profound yet simple meaning, we ensure that the noble dead will not be forgotten. Symbols, others argue, are by nature controversial, and packed with hidden meaning. The poppy can imply many things: support for the cause behind a war, patriotism, even a belief in conflict as a positive force. To examine and debate the poppy's meaning is a wiser response to war than unquestioning grief.
Keywords
No man's land - The unoccupied ground between two armies. The phrase is particularly associated with trench warfare in WW1, but dates back to the Domesday Book, when it meant land that belonged to nobody.
World War One - A war that included many European countries between 1914 and 1918.
Armistice - A truce or agreement to stop fighting for a certain amount of time.
Fifa - The Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football.
Opium Wars - The culmination of trade disputes between Britain and China, beginning in 1839. The British defeated the Chinese in 1842. British troops were fighting so that British companies would be allowed to trade the drug opium to China. Opium is derived from the poppy plant.
Fascism - A political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.
British Legion - A charity dedicated to supporting veterans and responsible for the Poppy Appeal.
Patriotism - Showing love and pride for your country.
Poppy debate blossoms on Remembrance Sunday
Glossary
No man's land - The unoccupied ground between two armies. The phrase is particularly associated with trench warfare in WW1, but dates back to the Domesday Book, when it meant land that belonged to nobody.
World War One - A war that included many European countries between 1914 and 1918.
Armistice - A truce or agreement to stop fighting for a certain amount of time.
Fifa - The Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football.
Opium Wars - The culmination of trade disputes between Britain and China, beginning in 1839. The British defeated the Chinese in 1842. British troops were fighting so that British companies would be allowed to trade the drug opium to China. Opium is derived from the poppy plant.
Fascism - A political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.
British Legion - A charity dedicated to supporting veterans and responsible for the Poppy Appeal.
Patriotism - Showing love and pride for your country.