What does a purple poppy mean and where can I buy one for Remembrance Day? – The Sun | The Sun
MANY people choose to wear a poppy in November for Remembrance Day to show respect for the people who died fighting in WW1.
Here is the significance behind the purple poppy.
What does a purple poppy mean?
The purple poppy was created in 2006 in remembrance of the animal victims of war.
The Purple Poppy Appeal, which is organised by the War Horse Memorial, will give donations to charities like World Horse Welfare and the animal charity, Blue Cross.
The purple poppies are also sold through the charity Murphy's Army.
Since the charity became involved in 2016 it has helped to raise more than £75,000.
In 2022, the funds raised from Murphy's Army will go to the National Foundation For Retired Service Animals (NFRSA).
This is a newly set up foundation that promotes the care, well-being and welfare of retired service animals from emergency services like police, fire and prison services.
It will also be helping out the Hero Paws – Life After Service which helps support the services that employ working dogs in sectors like HMPS, Security, Conservation and Search roles.
Where can I buy a purple poppy for Remembrance Day?
The pin badges cost £3 if you order one from the War Horse Memorial shop.
They can also be bought directly at many garden centres, supermarkets, pet stores and equine centres.
The poppy's can also be purchased from the Murphy's Army website.
A range of purple poppy merchandise such as wrist bands and window displays are also available.
Badges and other products can be purchased from Ebay, but not all of these payments will go towards charity endeavours.
A Purple Paw badge – to commemorate all animal victims of human exploitation – can be purchased from the Animal Aid website.
What other colour poppies are there for Remembrance Day?
The red poppy is the traditional one and has been sold by the Royal British Legion for over a 100 years.
The charity says the symbol represents: "All those who lost their lives on active service in all conflicts; from the beginning of the First World War right up to the present day.
"It also honours the contribution of civilian services and the uniformed services which contribute to national peace and security and acknowledges innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism."
Red poppies are widely sold up and down the country but donations can also be made via the Royal British Legion's website.
The white poppy signifies a symbol of peace.
Members of the Women’s Co-operative Guild who had lost loved ones in the First World War first started them in 1933.
They were adopted by the Peace Pledge Union as their symbol of peace in 1936.
Symon Hill, Campaigns Manager at the Peace Pledge Union, told Metro: "White poppies are not a generic peace symbol.
"Nor are they a protest against remembrance.
"Quite the opposite: they are a symbol of remembrance for people who have died or suffered in war.
"That’s why we wear them on Remembrance Day.
"White poppies also represent a commitment to peace.
"This follows from remembering the horrors of war.
"We never say red poppies glorify war – we know many red poppy wearers share many of our values.
"Instead, we challenge ways in which remembrance is misused to promote a positive image of war or dodgy claims about what war has supposedly achieved."
White poppies can be purchased through the Peace Pledge Union website.
The black poppy was launched in September 2010 and was introduced to commemorate people of all nations of African, Black, West Indian and Pacific Islander heritage who contributed to war efforts.
The Black Poppy Rose website says: "A symbol that signifies pride, honour and glory, with the hope that future generations will be inspired by these largely untold historical legacies."
Black poppy pins, badges and wreaths can be bought through the Black Poppy Rose official website.
LGBT poet Laureate Trudy Howson introduced the concept of a rainbow poppyin 2016, however, it was welcomed with much controversy.
She said: "The rainbow poppy is a campaign I'm running to bring attention the brave soldiers who died for our country during WW1 at a time when their sexuality was criminalised."
Some critics claimed that this poppy disrespects the fallen soldiers as the red poppy represents all soldiers.
What is the rarest poppy?
The rarest poppy is one which commemorates the 100 years since the Armistice on November 11, 1918.
In 2019, poppies with a leaf embossed with gold writing were being sold.
They had "1918-2018" embossed in gold.
There was also an even more rare "khadi" poppy made from Indian linen.
It was created in honour of Mahatma Gandhi and to remember the 74,000 Indian servicemen who lost their lives in The Great War.
Source: Read Full Article
