Poppies: Meaning | Gardening On

Poppies bear some relation to wartime England

It is well known that flowers, apart from their decorative or medicinal value that they may have, they also stand out for representing certain attributes and connotations, whether positive or negative. These details are very important to keep in mind when it comes to organizing an important event, and even to give a gift. In this article we will talk specifically about poppies and their meaning.

Apart from commenting on the symbology of these flowers, we will also explain what poppies are and we will talk in more detail about the meaning of the red, yellow, orange and purple poppies. So you know: If you are interested in the subject, do not hesitate to continue reading.

What are poppies?

The meaning of poppies varies according to their color

Before talking about poppies and their meaning, we will first discuss what these flowers are. It is a variety of wild plants from Asia, North America and Europe. They are annual vegetables belonging to the family of the papaveraceae which usually grows in the fields. The stem of these plants is covered with bristly hairs, their fruit is in a capsule and the seeds are blackish in color. As for the petals, we can find varieties of different colors, the most popular being red.

The poppy is also known as opium poppy, and it is not surprising, since this plant certain substances can be extracted that have analgesic, sedative and narcotic effects. In the past, it was widely used medicinally to relieve aches and pains, before it was declared an illegal substance. This is because the poppy contains large amounts of alkaloids. With them, various narcotic substances can be produced, such as morphine, heroin and opium. As these substances are considered drugs in many countries, the production, sale and consumption of this plant is prohibited.

However, some substances that can be produced by poppy seeds, such as codeine, are still used to make medicines in order to relieve pain. It should be noted that these substances do not generate as much dependence as drugs.

Meaning

Poppies and their meaning are closely related to their color and the place where we are. In England, for example, it is a rather controversial flower precisely because of its symbology. In this country, the red poppy is used to honor those who have fallen in war. The idea was, initially, that this vegetable represented peace. However, today it is a highly criticized issue, since it is considered that the red poppy causes the exaltation of patriotism. Therefore, considering it a flower of peace is ruled out.

In contrast, the Egyptians hold poppies in very high regard. In their culture, these pretty flowers represent youth.. In addition, they were widely used for medicinal purposes. It should also be noted that there was a belief that poppies allowed the transition to the afterlife, so the most important pharaohs included them in their tombs.

The poppy is of the genus Papaver and is a wild flower

Related article:

Poppy (Papaver)

Still, in the West, poppies have a negative connotation, such as aggressiveness or violence. This is because they are two values ​​that have been very present for many years, due to the wars that this part of the world has suffered. However, these flowers also have some positive meanings, such as hope or consolation. The latter refers especially to times of need, those in which everything seems to be complicated. It is at such times that poppies can shed more positivity and hope.

As for the general interpretation of poppies, their meaning will vary greatly depending on the color they have. In fact, color is the most influential aspect in its symbology and will determine both the negative and positive connotations of the flower. Next we will comment on the meaning of some of the most common poppies.

Red Poppy: Meaning

The red poppy means selfishness and consolation.

Let’s start talking about the most common poppy and the one that usually comes to mind when we talk about these flowers: The red poppy. It is a wild flower that exerts a certain attraction due to its beauty and its striking color. It is precisely for this last reason that the attributes of this vegetable are increased. So much so that for many people the red poppy symbolizes selfishness in its purest state. However, it also has some positive connotations. The most remarkable for this flower is The consolation.

Yellow Poppy: Meaning

Yellow poppies signify fertility

Apart from red poppies, we can also find these beautiful yellow flowers. This variety is very common in Iceland. According to popular belief, yellow poppies open the way to a new era. Therefore it is not surprising that these flowers are associated with fertility.

Orange Poppy: Meaning

Orange poppy means positivity and hope

Another of the poppies notable for its meaning is the orange poppy. This represents happiness and joy. In addition, thanks to its color, it is also attributed the symbol of friendship. So its connotations are very positive, reaching symbolize positivity and hope. However, due to the aggressiveness of orange, it has also inherited some of the red poppy’s own attributes.

Purple Poppy: Meaning

Purple poppies signify imagination and success.

Regarding the purple poppy, it should be noted that, in the United Kingdom, it is a symbol of remembrance for those animals that served during the war. This flower represents this symbol since 2006, and is based on the symbology of the traditional poppy, the red one, which represents remembrance for Remembrance Day. Although it is true today that most of the animals found in the military service of this country are dogs, historically the largest number of animal casualties during wars and conflicts has been horses. Apart from this curious detail about the purple poppy, it should also be noted that both purple and blue poppies and pink poppies are closely related to imagination and success.

I hope that this article about poppies and their meaning has been interesting for you. Knowing the symbols of flowers can be quite useful for certain official events and also to enrich our knowledge.

Poppies: Meaning | Gardening On

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